Starting Over

I'm glad to see how many of you have had success. Unfortunately I am not one of you...

I have been too tight, to loose and unable to get to the sweet spot. I lost weight for a while, but only because I was forcing myself not to eat. When I started eating again I fell way off the wagon! Entirely too much fast food - life is busy and I had a hard time planning my meals ahead of time. Then my gym went out of business! I could try to blame other things, but ultimately it is my responsibility.

I had an endoscope last week to make sure everything is ok with my band, which it is. Right now I have 0cc in the band. I'm debating whether to wait after the holidays to start over or just do it now. Any thoughts?

Lisa

I think you need to MENTALLY prepare, take a look back and re-examine your failures and success.

First you need to set goals, short term goals and long term goals. Short term goals can  be anything that is week to week, for example, if you were to set up a short term goal for next week to plan your meals, like going to the grocery store and buying a whole chicken and cook it, and keep it in the refrigerator stored in tupperware and take it with you to work each day this way your calories are already mapped out for a particular day,  and have some type of green veggie that YOU LIKE, having pre planned meals will prevent you from the temptation of eating fast food that is high in calories and no nutritional value.

You MUST have a plan set up to be successful with the band, if your meals are planned out ahead of time and you have your exercise plan mapped out you WILL NOT FAIL, but as you can see if you don't have a plan in place your weight loss with the band will be little to none, you can do this...YOU HAVE YOUR TOOL to make weight loss easy....just sit back and breath and get your plan together.

Track your calories on www.fitday.com or www.sparkspeople.com

Good luck.

Having only had my band for a month I am usually not going to give advise to others, but one question you asked hit home with me and I thought I'd share.

My first fill is scheduled for DEC 17th and I remember thinking "What? Right before Christmas? Why don't we wait till after?"

I realized that that was the kind of thinking that has gotten me into this trouble in the first place.
Thru some effective counseling I have learned to listen to the "self talk" that gets me in trouble.

FWIW (and I know its very little) I say go for it!

Good Luck!

 Sound advice and reasoning here!  

I say go for the fill and either buy some natural appetite suppressants or do what I do and buy some Dexatrim Max. I only use it when I need a little help getting my ass back in control. After a few days I usually don't need to take anymore, but if you need to take em a bit longer then go for it.

I know some people will have a different POV regarding pills....I say do whatever you have to do to get your ass back on the wagon. Personally I don't give a rats ass what anybody else thinks, I do what ever I have to do to remain successful.

Disclaimer because SOMEBODY is going to bring this up.

I do not recommend you taking the Dexatrim if you have any heart related health problems and yada yada yada....

No time like the present to get back on track. Why wait? Holidays or not, this is the time to re start and get back on track! It can  be your gift to yourself :) LOL Make your plan, get what you need back in the house and start fresh. You need to plan healthy band friendly meals, skip teh fast food ALL together!! Best of luck getting re started :)

I agree with what others have said.  Go get the fill.  It will help you have a bit of self control and minimize the damage during the holidays.  I had a similar choice to make.  I wanted to go on a strict diet to kind of kick my own butt into shape.  I contemplated putting it off till after the holidays but for what?  I'll only have more to lose when its done!  Do it now so that you can look back after the holidays and know you did great instead of kicking yourself for adding 5lb more to your weight left to lose.  There are still PLENTY of things to enjoy about the holidays besides food! Look for those things!

Try and get small fill at a time and dont wait until the holidays pass, why not do it now!!! I like you have trouble planning ahead but i pushed myself to keep healthy food around me at all timer. my small refrigerator at work is full of water, low fat yogurt, oatmeal, apple sauce and fruits. Every morning while i shower and get dressed i boiled an egg which i carry to work for breakfast. planning ahead doesnt have to take all your time maybe have small meals in the refrigerator u can just grab and run. Do it everyday until you are used to it!

Good luck

I stayed far away from fast food for the first few years. Further out from my surgery I learned that I could eat fast food while out on vacation as long as I adjusted the menu, because lets face it....planning your meals can get old & sometimes it's nice to be able to eat what the Normies eat
( with a slight tweak not tweek  )

Mc Donald's
Cheeseburger without the bun ( ask for a fork )
No fries because fries are evil
No soda, I always carried around Vitamin Water Zero
Side of scrambled eggs
Sausage,Egg, & Cheese Mc Muffin without the sausage and english muffin (ask for a fork)
Chicken nuggets ( Yeah yeah there high in calories but I could only eat 2 or 3 )

Carls JR.
Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken- ask for it lettuce wrapped instead of bread. I was never able to eat more then 1/4 of one.
No fries they are still evil

Restaurants with salad bars are a great option. Order yours in a to go container with your dressing on the side. That way your salad wont get soggy and the leftovers will last for a couple days.

Popeyes Chicken
Small side of Red Beans & Rice
Small side of Cole Slaw

Burger King
Garden Salad with side of dressing
Six Piece Chicken Fries ( again I normally ate only 2 or 3 )

Wendy's
Cheeseburger no bun ( ask for a fork ) nom nom nom

Burritos from anywhere can be opened up and eaten with a fork. Don't eat the flour tortilla or you will die of severe stuckage.

Pizza toppings can be scraped off the crust. nom nom nom I could scrape and eat two of these suckers.

If you're jones-ing for some crunch try these Garden Veggie Straws made by Sensible Portions they're only 130 calories for 38 straws and I spread out the 38 straws into two separate servings. They taste great and you get to get your crunch on Mmmm delish !
Potato, carrot, and spinach seasoned with a touch of salt


 

Get the fill......... I had to have some taken out and it is like I don't have restriction and are so hungry.....I have had 3 great Christmases because I was able to cook and eat what I wanted just a small amount.........now I am not looking forward to it and are really scared....... I am the type that can gain 5 pounds in a week...........  I would do anything for a fill.

Maybe they can just put in a little just enough to take the edge off........... gosh I sound like an addict LOL.....

You'll make the right decision....if you have one make sure it is not too close so you aren't on liquids or mushies......

Keep us posted.

Michele