bogiesmom

Roughly 50 calories per point. Yah, that does seem a bit high. I would think the most you would want to consume is around 1600 per day.

Okay, I rebel and do not weigh in on Wednesdays. That being said, last week was the TOM and I weighed in at 174.6 and on my birthday (1/1 - Friday) I weighed in at 172.7 so that was a loss of 1.9 pounds but technically speaking I am down 1.2 pounds this week from 173.9. I cant wait for the 160's when I am no longer considered "obese" and just "overweight." Congrats to Angie, Denise, Linnipoo, Carrie, Janice, Kristi and the amazing Debbie (and anyone else I left out) for either maintaining or loosing. And thanks for holding me accountable.

Breakfast: Pete's Coffee, 50 cal. Carnation Hazelnut liquid creamer, 50 cal. Equal Sweetner, 2 servings, 8 cal. Entemann's Glazed Pop'ems, 2 pieces, 110 cal. Lunch: WW Smart ones Chichen Enchiladas Suiza, 290 cal. Campbell's Select Harvest Light Italian Stle Veggie Soup, 2 cups, 100 cal. Kraft String Cheese, 1 serving, 80 cal. Snack: 1 package Snackwell Creme Cookies, 220 cal. 3 pieces peanut butter filled pretzels, 40 cal. Dinner: 2/3 cup Bertolli Penne Pasta w/ Chicken, 245 cal. 1.5 cups of Green Giant Veggies in cheese sauce, 58.5 cal. 3 small pieces of Garlic Bread, 210 cal. Calories Burned: 30 minutes on the elliptical at 148 heart rate, .95 miles = 373 cal. Calories Consumed = 1462 Calories Burned = 373 Calories Remaining = 123

Dear Hungry Girl, Seems like people always make New Year's resolutions to eat smarter and lose weight, but then they give up within a week or so. Why does this happen, and how can I avoid having that happen to me? Nervous in Nantucket Dear Nervous, Happy 2010! Great question. So many people say they're going to start eating better in January, and then two weeks later, they're back to their old habits. I have a theory about why this happens: I think it's about setting unrealistic goals. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are my TOP ATE tips for successful eating in 2010... 1. Don't go "on a diet." While diet plans can be helpful, if you think of yourself as being "on a diet," everything can become too black and white. If you're "on a diet" and suddenly you have a little setback, you may decide you're "off your diet" and go back to your old ways. Think of your new eating plan as more of a lifestyle change -- one that will have ups and downs, with good days and bad. 2. Don't deprive yourself. A food plan shouldn't be about deprivation. It should be about SATISFACTION. Find foods you LOVE -- things that satisfy you but are better choices than the fat-packed alternatives. This is KEY. 3. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you. It's good for your skin and your metabolism. And it helps fill you up. Plus, not getting enough water can make you cranky and more likely to make bad food choices. 4. Listen to your body. It knows things. If eating cereal for breakfast tends to make you hungrier throughout the day, then don't eat cereal in the morning. Pay close attention to your body cues. This will help tremendously. 5. Live one day (or even one MEAL) at a time. Don't be discouraged and beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon and eat badly -- just be aware and make better decisions at your next meal. 6. Get exercise with activities you enjoy. I used to HATE exercising. I feared it. Now I exercise but only do what I like (which happens to be walking on a treadmill five times a week, while watching reality TV, and weight training twice a week with a friend). Find something you actually enjoy doing, and you'll do it. Don't take on an exercise routine that causes pain or discomfort -- you'll just end up ditching it completely. (And I know this isn't an EATING tip, but it's important!) 7. Let yourself cheat a little. Everyone strays once in a while. It's totally normal. Splurge when you need to, and enjoy it. (Don't feel guilty!) Then get RIGHT back on track to prove to yourself that you can handle a cheat meal now and then. 8. Keep track of what you eat. Write it down. As dorky as it sounds, you WILL 100% without a doubt make better choices if you hold yourself accountable for what you eat by keeping a food journal. Just do it -- even if you only write in it every OTHER day. Good luck, and have a GREAT year!

Breakfast: Coffee, 1 serving, 50 Cal. Carnation French Vanilla Liquid Creamer, 2 servings, 80 cal. Sugar, 1 tblsp, 35 Cal. Small Banana, 90 Cal. Lunch: Progresso Split Pea & Ham Soup, 1 cup, 140 Cal. Sourdough Bread, 2 Slices, 164 cal. Pirate's Booty, 130 cal. Dinner: Nissan Cup Of Noodles, cal. 300 Kraft Bagel-ful, 180 cal. Calories Burned: Washing Dishes, 40 minutes, 120 cal. Doing Laundry, 45 Minutes, 126 cal. Walking Dog, 30 Minutes, 118 cal. Calories Consumed = 1169 Calories Burned = 364 Calories Remaining = 407

Have you changed your eating habits? If so, what are you doing differently now? I did not gain any of my weight back from switching to solids but I was actively following Weight Watchers. I still journal everyday and make sure that my net calories at the end of the day are not over 1,212. Are you drinking plenty of water? Are you excercising for 30 minutes a day? You might not have restriction after your first fill either so just be prepared for that. Chances are you will not hvae restriction until your second fill in March/April.

Breakfast: Coffee, 50 cal. Carnation Liquid Creamer, 80 cal. Sugar, 35 cal. honey, 60 cal. Quaker Oats Maple Brown Sugar Low Sugar Instant Oatmeal, 120 cal. Raisins, 52 cal. Lunch: Eating Right BBQ Soy Crisps, 17 Crisps, 110 cal. Progresso Split Pea Soup, 1 cup, 140 cal. Kraft Mozerella String Cheese, 80 cal. Dinner: Taco Soup, 1 cup, 198 cal. 2 Medium Red Potatoes, 298 cal. Calories Burned: Elliptical Cross Trainer, 25 minutes, .81 mile, 149 heart rate = 311 Calories Consumed = 1223 Calories Remaining = 300

There are several factors that determine your calorie consumption because everyone is different. Here are the factors: 1. Age 2. Heigth 3. Weight 4. Current Activity Level (light, moderate, athletic) 5. Do you want to loose weight, maintain weight or gain weight (I know you want to loose) 6. How much do you want to loose per week? What is your weekly goal? Here are my factors that determined that I must consume 1212 calories per day to loose 2 pounds per week: 1. 35 2. 5" 2.5" 3. 172.7 4. Light 5. Loose Weight 6. 2 pounds per week The free web site where you can get your caloric value and track food and excercise daily is www.thedailyplate.com

Linnipoo, Thank you so much for mentioning details. I am glad to hear I was not out of my mind for tipping the drivers $2.00 per ride, bell boy $3.00 for the luggage up and the maids $5.00 for the room. I feel so much better now. That was great advice about looking like you have purpose and focus as well as not making eye contact. I guess in a nut shell the point is to be self-confident and let that radiate but not come off as cocky and arrogant. Angie, I totally forgot that I did see a fully armed tank in the middle of the raod with about a dozem malitia men around it and not to mention the armed Federalies standing outside the shanty hotel ext to the Mariott (shuttle driver from the Mariott said that hotel is actually converted to police headquarters and is a non-funtional hotel).

Breakfast: Lucerne Best Of The Egg, 1 serving, 30 cal. 1 Large Egg, 71 cal. 1/2 cup taco soup, 99 cal. La Victoria Chunky Medium Salsa, 10 cal. Nescafe Instant Coffee, 0 cal. Carnation French Vanilla Creamer, 1 serving, 45 cal. white sugar, 1.5 servings, 52.5 cal. Lunch: Yoplait Creme & Mixed Berry Yogurt, 100 cal. Kraft Whole Grain Bagel-ful, 180 cal. 4 slices Hormel Hard Salami, 55 cal. Dinner: 2 slices of Sara Lee Delightful White Bread, 90 cal. 1 tbsp Kraft Mayo w/ Olive Oil, 45 cal. 1 tblsp Heinz Yellow Mustard, 0 cal. 1 slice Kraft American Singles, 70 cal. 1 slice Turkey Balogna, 60 cal. 1 cup Taco Soup, 198 cal. Calories Consumed = 1090 Calories Remaining = 122 Daily Values: Calories: 90% Fat: 104% Cholest: 167% Carbs: 64% Sodium: 275% Sugar: 83% Fiber: 106% Protein: 208%

In terms of shopping the only thing that I can recommend is the Costco behind the OCC or the Plaza Del Rio (TJ's mall like any other mall here in the US with basically the same retailers). You can catch a cab to the mall or costco from the Mariott and back. The drivers will even wait for you if you want them too and they are not busy.

Were the recent news reports out of Tijuana? Here is an article that I found interesting on the subject http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7894/kidnapping_americans_in_mexico.html?cat=17 I guess the only thing that I can say to somewhat put your mind at ease is that you should go with the mindset of I am going in and handling my business and then getting out. I did not really venture out on my own when I was there and I brought a Mexican National with me as my companion. I tried to blend in as much as possible and I did not drink or party outside of the Mariott. I did go shopping on my own for makeup at the Plaza Del Rio (TJ's mall akin to any mall here in the US...has all the major retailers like Sears) but even then I took the taxi from the Mariott to the mall. He waited for me in the parking lot and drove me back to the Mariott when I was done. When I went out to lunch at the El Potrero with my Mexican companion we did get a cab ride there from the Mariott shuttle guy and walked back to the Mariott afterwards (5 minute walk). This whole time I did not do certain things like carry a camera, be distracted on my cell phone, site see, etc. The key is to blend in with the population as much as possible. I found these tips at gogirl.com travel site: Police say potential kidnappers target tourist areas where they're more likely to find someone driving a nice car, shopping in expensive stores - people they think can afford a healthy ransom. The kidnappings appear to be random, but a few common sense rules can help keep you safe: Trust your instincts: If you feel like you're being followed or targeted, act. Get yourself to a public area where it's much harder to quietly whisk someone away. Chaperone yourself: If you're going to drink, do it at your hotel or resort rather than out on the town. There's less risk of attack steps away from your room. Use the buddy system: Never wander into unfamiliar areas alone. Disrupt the plan: If you're in a crowded area with lots of people around, yell words like "FIRE." Make a scene, bite, break things - anything you can do to attract attention.

I journal, journal, journal every bite of food & every sip of liquid. The key is consistancy. There were a couple days (I think 4 total) that I did not journal for out of the 6 weeks I have been banded. I have been allowing myself to consume up to 1200 calories per day. Like Lisa, I just try to focus on how much I paid for this band in terms of motivation to stay on track. PS - Yes, I journaled during the 3 week liquid phase too even though I was only cosuming 800 calories per day on liquids. I knew during week 1 that I did not have to journal but I chose to so as to get into the habit of being aware of the calories I was drinking (liquid calories can add up real quick if you are not paying attention).

Breakfast: Lucerne Best of the Egg 2 servings, 60 cal Nescafe Clasico Instant Coffee, 0 cal Carnation Carnation Coffee Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 servings, 60 cal. Sugar, 1 Tblsp, 35 cal. Taco Soup, 1/2 cup, 99 cal. Lunch: Kraft Whole Grain Bagel-ful, 1 serving, 180 cal. Afternoon Snack: Molasses Sugar Cookie, 90 cal. Yoplait Creme Caramel Delight Parfait, 100 cal. Dinner: Taco Soup, 3/4 cup, 158 cal. Dole Greener Selections Salad Mix, 2 cups, 23 cal. La Victoria Thick and Chunky Medium Salsa, 4 Tblsp, 20 cal. Granny Goose Tortilla Chips, 6 chips, 70 cal. Evening Snack: 1/2 Mrs Field's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookie, 140 cal. Elliptical Calories Burned = 199 Total Calories consumed = 1038 Calories Remaining = 373 Daily Values: Calories: 85.66% Sodium: 124.27% Fat: 79.84% Cholest: 23.94% Sugar: 202% Carbs: 72.49% Protein: 147.64% Fiber: 86%

If you check out this site you will see a list of restaurants including a brief discription of El POTRERO with a picture. It is located across the street from the Mariott, down 2 blocks. http://www.bestday.com/Tijuana/Restaurants/ Here is what someone else had to say on a blog about it: "I really like the food, service and atmosphere of this restaurant. The big hat makes it seem like you are back in the time of Tijuana al 1960's. Plus my next door neighbor is the owner. Really good breakfasts. Steaks and spinach salads are very good."

Congrats on your upcoming Surgery. I live in West Los Angeles (where the 405 meets the 10...off Motor & Palms 1 mile north of Sony Pictures). Anyway, I met with my primary care physician last week and she said that loose skin only becomes an issue if you loose too much weight too quickly (Over 3 pounds per week). Obviously the more weight you have to loose the faster you will loose it. My suggestion to you is to check out a web-site called www.thedailyplate.com. It is FREE and if you tell the program that you want to loose 2 pounds per week it will calculate your calorie intake needed to maintain that steady weight lose without loosing to much, too fast. I use it everyday to track my diet and excercise and it is the best thing ever invented. I have to warn you though that the formatting of the site is a bit quirky and sometimes you will need to toggle between "classic myplate" & "new myplate" to reset your calorie goal back to the correct amount. The New Myplate is still in beta testing that's why.

The things that I took with me to TJ in my suitcase that I was glad I packed: 1. Benefiber & Crystal Light drink mix (They have bottled water at the hotel) 2. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags (mmmmmmmm!) 3. Mishima Miso Soup packets (just mix with 1 cup hot water and you are in heaven) 4. (I know...random thought) Heating pad & magazines & book

Posted 28 November 2009 - 10:08 AM This list is a work in progress but I thought I would share some items that I could not live without as they have become priceless replacements in my life: 1. I can’t Believe It Is Not Butter Spray 2. Walden Farms Zero Calorie Dressings & Spreads www.waldenfarms.com 3. Hebrew National 98% Fat Free Hot Dogs 4. Oscar Meyer 98% Fat Free Bologna 5. Digital Food Scale 6. Low Calorie Sliced Bread (Sara Lee, Orowheat, different brands in different parts of the country but 2 slices usually equall about 90 calories with about 4 grams of fiber) 7. Low Calorie hot dog & hamburger buns (if you are lucky enough to find – no longer available in southern California) Wonder bread had some available. 8. Fat Free, Sugar Free Jello Pudding Cups with Fat Free Cool Whip 9. Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches 10. George Forman Grill (my best friend) (You can literally cook an entire meal with it in minutes!) 11. www.calorieking.com (look up the nutritional value for hundreds of items) 12. Pirate Booty 13. Hungry-Girl Cook book & Recipe Cards 14. Dill Pickles - eat as many as you want for zero points! 15. WW Taco Soup Recipe care of Mom - This should have been #1 on thie list as it is a staple in my household since it goes on and with everything from omelettes, potatos, and taco salad. Major comfort food! Liquids Anyone? 1. Active Lifestyle Gellatin Cups - loaded with 4 grams of fiber per serving! Flavors are better than Jell-O! 2. Mishima Miso Soup poweder mix - comes in individual packets that you just mix with hot water! Only 35 calories a pop. 3. Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip Free (great with the Jell-O. Feels like you are cheating when you are not) 4. Nestle Rich Hot Cocoa Powder with Caramel - A liquid Candy Bar! 5. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags - A box of 20 (Try with a dash of skim milk and you would think you paid $3.5 for a cup at Starbucks! 6. Campbell's Soup At Hand "Blended Vegetable Medley" 7. Imagine Organic Creamy Tomato Soup (comes in a rectangle carton) 8. Yonique Low Fat Yogurt Drinks (Pina Colada is awesome) 9. Lifeway Lowfat flavored Kefir (found this at Whole Foods) 9. Slim Fast Optima Shakes (The only protein shake I like) 10. Benefiber individual Drink Powder (like Cystal Light except 3 grams of fiber per pouch - sold in the Metamucil Aisle. Flavors are awesome. Mix with bottled water.) 11. Original V8 - I love this at room temp or heated on the stove as a soup. 12. Naked Fruit Smoothies (variety pack of 10, 10 ounce bottles found at Costco for $5.99. I use these for breakfast!) 13. Glaceau Vitaminwater10 - Was sick w/ cold this weekend and had to add this since it literally brought me through the storm single handedly

I also stayed at the Mariott and just so you know you can take a 2 minute cab ride (I walked) from the Mariott to a beautiful restraunt called POTRERO (The building is shaped like a giant sobrero) and tell the magager that you want to order chicken soup with not chicken just broth. I did this and they brought me the most wonderful broth I had ever tasted in my entire life. You can also tell the cab driver from the Mariott what time you think you would be done eating and they will come pick you up afterwards too. I would also like to recommend this restraunt for PRE-SURGERY. Their food is way, way, way better then the Mariott's. While cooked below par and it tastes okay, I found the Mariott food very boring.

Absolutely, that has been my understanding of it as well. The employer is the one paying for the policy. They get to pick and choose what benefits are included and which ones they would like to opt out of.

10. Been laid off twice by 2 different companies 9. Ended 2 toxic relationships 8. Became USC Alumni 7. Celebrated with my sole sibling when she got married for the first time 6. Been blessed with my first pet in my adult life (Bogie the Bulldog) 5. Went to the memorials of 2 co-workers within the same 4 year span 4. Traveled for the first time on business 3. Have my son move back in with me 2. Went through growing pains with my son as he got his first job, lost his first job, entered high school, having girl friends, changed styles and tastes 1. Went from being a twenty something to a thirty something marked by the first gray hair to having a head that is 35% gray.