finally

didn't go so well...filled up the big cup in the morning with 1/2 ice and good bottled water. Had a hard day felt like I was being pushed and pulled for all sides... :lb20: Finally got back to my desk and ice had melted. Drank some but didn't make the grade! Tomorrow is another day will give it another try. Drinking water as I type this. Think I'll make myself a watermelon drink (blend fresh watermelon to a liquid!) and take with me to my friends house tonight. I have a once a month get together with some girlfriends (one is the friend who came with me to when I got banded, she is banded I call myself her grasshopper...) Thank you for posting press on... D.

Drink that water.... :lb3: (not sure what this is but looks like water bottles??) I really need to work on this! Going to put a big cup of water by my desk at work today and whenever I go back there (I don't sit at my desk all day-thank goodness for that!) Will drink some. The whole don't drink for 2, 1 1/2, 1/2 hours, heard so many different "rules", after I eat anything and 1/2 to 1 hour before has really gotten in the way of my drinking water. Now I do drink lots of tea (not a coffee drinker) hot w/vanilla soy slender is my usual. Maybe two pots a day! and that is before 1pm cause I don't drink anything with caffeine after that (won't sleep well). Not a fan of crystal light etc.. will report back tonight on how this goes today. D.

Sabrina, You look great. Your arms look fabulous in the sleeveless top. You are an inspiration, thank you for posting your progress...... :spruce_up: You have a nice style. A woman with class! D.

Got on the scale it doesn't move much but I am still under 25lbs loss since surgery. I did walk this morning (make-up for Turn-it-up Tuesday-I couldn't log on to the forum?) New mini-goal going..anyone else want to join? D.

Ok made a commitment to log on and post each day... Motivational Monday... "One foggy night at sea the captain of a ship saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading towards him. He had his signalman contact the other ship by light the message was: "Change your course ten degrees to the south" The reply came back: "Change YOUR course ten degrees to the north." Then the Captain answered: "I am a Captain, so you change YOUR course ten degrees to the south." Reply: "I am a seaman first class-change YOUR course ten degrees to the north." This last message really infuriated the Captain, so he signaled back: " I am a battleship-change YOUR course ten degrees to the south." Reply: And I am a lighthouse: Change YOUR course ten degrees to the north!" I am the battleship, the band is the lighthouse! Happy Monday press on..... D.

I made a weekly guide, printed it with different fonts and on colored card stock. putting it next to my computer. at this point I need some inspiration! Charelle.... :lb13: Motivational Mondays (inspiring stories, quotes & words of wisdom) Turn-It-Up Tuesdays (focus on what exercise & moving can be accomplished) Weigh-in Wednesdays Thirsty Thursdays (drink that water!!) Fresh Fridays (healthy foods/veggies & fruits day) Stick-To-It Saturday (weekends are tough! What are you doing to stay away from anti-band behaviors & staying active) Say-it-all Sunday (a day of confessions from the week past!) (not sure about the weigh-in Wed, try to stay off the scale!!!) D.

OK I'm next...Did ok the beginning of the week. Finally broke the 25 lb lost. Then who knows just wanted to eat certain foods. So I have had stuck episodes. PB, pain...Been wanting to eat whatever I want!!!! carbs of course! here is the confessional.... :secret: -Costo coffee cake-someone brought it work I love coffee cake, as a kid I didn't (and still don't) like donuts so after church (we rode our bikes) we went to the bakery and I got a piece of coffee cake and my sisters got a donut. -Costco apple pie-before I was banded I would normally only eat the guts this week I felt compelled to try and eat the crust! -ice cream-we got a soft serve ice cream machine @ work serve yourself. I put way to much chocolate syrup and nuts, been getting a dish in the afternoon this has got to stop. (I was going to ask to get some dark Hershey syrup but I didn't because..well then I would be more compelled...) -chocolate chip almond cookie-the latte place, I love these and it was the first time I got one since I was banded. got stuck! (this could be a good thing...) exercise-just do not do any. (in fairness I do park in the last lot at work so I have to walk a short distance includes a hill-I watch everyone else cruise around looking for a parking space closer) Did work in the yard yesterday... My job also includes walking (can't do the up steps yet-I had foot surgery and all is not well) I did lift weights one time last week, tried yoga (didn't like it) thinking about water aerobics but haven't looked to hard!!! :training1: Had my grandson over, he loves spaghetti (use Prego organic tomato and basil-don't like onions and it only has onion powder it it)meatballs (Costco-didn't want anyone to think I am the grandmom who makes everything from scratch!). I have only been eating the meatballs but decided I wanted to eat the spaghetti (whole wheat) well surprise it was ok and I felt full. Only had a small plate. so this was a good thing! Love this idea of different daily posts. I log on this forum almost every morning but don't feel like I have anything really to post. Thank you Charelle!!! :lb23: (love the cartoon-devil dogs-don't have them in WA but I am from NJ and miss ringdings-the big one-don't think they even make them anymore?) D.

Holly, What is the brand of greek yogurt, What store do you usually get it? Thanxs, D.

I like the Premier Protein shakes (get @ COSTCO) they only have chocolate. I used to live on EAS vanilla but the Premier has 30 grams vice 17 grams of protein so I made the switch. would love if I could find vanilla in the Premier (maybe I will look on line) Also was going to get the Premier protein bars but they are pretty high cal. (wish I didn't have to buy so many I might try them?) I like Pure Protein bars (get at Walmart) they are 20 grams of protein and better calories 200. been on the lookout for a protein bar that is filling. Like ZONE dark chocolate w/almonds. ( I am a dark chocolate gal from wayyyy back!) I also eat Energy bars I get @ COSTCO good ingredients. Try not to eat too much "artificial" food! I don't measure my food. I have used Sparkpeople to log my food on when I feel like I am not eating the right mix (not getting enough protein, too many carbs) I consider myself a professional dieter so I intuitively know what is in certain foods. I am 4 1/2 months out post band and it has been a learning curve for me. I am glad ( most days) I have this tool in me. What I know without a doubt is that I would never have kept the weight off I have lost. It has been slow but when (I WILL GET THERE!) I can get to my goal and not regain (which is what I normally do) I will be forever grateful for this band. Good luck on your journey. I have found that keeping connected to this group (don't always post but log in most everyday) reminds me that I am not alone and my struggle is not unique! D. :lb11:

Was Dr. Ortiz (OCC) moving the port? I know when I reach my goal weight that this port has to go somewhere it REALLY sticks out now and when the last-o-the fat is gone it will look like I have a hernia! I am seriously considering a TL but don't think I will go to Mex for that want to be close to the surgeon. Thinking of getting a consult from Pam and Lisa'a PS. but I am not there yet....

OK I need help. What other protein is there that is solid besides meat? I do not like fish. Don't eat red meat. Chicken/Turkey just gets stuck no matter how much I chew it!!! I just can't eat solid breakfast, been having cream of wheat (today I am going to try and mix some protein powder in) I do drink a protein drink (premier fm Costco 30 grams of protein, before I leave for work, drink it room temp-thank you for the suggestions Lisa!) I want to eat solid foods. Also like to eat "basic" stuff don't do packaged foods. Today I am starting back with a food log (spark people) SUGGESTIONS????? D.

I think I read a post about someone having their port placed differently. mine really is obvious and I can feel it and an if I wore a two piece bathing suit it would way be there! Not to the point of seeing a PS yet so was wondering. Been thinking of TT and TL if I reach my goal. Seem to be stuck (not eating right slider food central....) D. :dash1:

Robbyn, I don't post much but did wonder what happened to you. I was missing your inspiration. Thank you for the honesty. This band has been hard for me, sometimes I regret having it but then I look at the weight I have KEPT off! question about fill rules?? you were told to do clear liquids today and begin full liquids for a week. That seems drastic.. Yesterday I went in to have my band checked, food was getting stuck and I was getting a night cough. So I just figured I was too tight. Well everything was OK. Band @ right angle, no swelling, no pouch enlargement. (they didn't even charge me!) Seems I don't have the chew thing down or small bites need to slow down.... What a hard habit to break!!!! I was told (given handout: "Stay on the full liquid diet for 2 days. The gradually try mushy or soft foods before resuming solid food. This will allow swelling to resolve." I wonder what does OCC tell you? so many different rules...I didn't know that after a PB episode to go back to full liquids for two days. Until I asked on this site. I guess that is the down side of not really having any aftercare. Thinking of going to a support group but what I really need is education. My new mission. If I am going to have this object in me I best know how to treat it! again Robbyn welcome back. :-h D.