Debbie, Troy and Sue...

How did your day go today???  Still surviving?  Debi

Hi Deb: I'm surviving only because I failed. By 4 PM yesterday I felt so hungry no matter how many shakes I drank. I think the CIB has too many carbs in it for me, even the SF variety. I had used a New Lifestyle shake previously that I ordered with only 6 or 7 carbs/ shake. Anyway....maybe that's not why. So I caved and it's been downhill since. I need more fill too. I'm depressed. Aren't you glad you asked? I hope you have good news to report.

Don't be hard on yourself Debbie!  I ate a protein bar earlier today because I was shaky.  Then I ate tuna for dinner.  My feeling is...I am not doing this to lose 10lbs.  I am doing this to avoid carbs and to hopefully stop or curb the cravings for them.  So, I'm not beating myself up over the protein bar (which did have 13 carbs, but only 1 sugar and 14 protein and 4 fiber) and the tuna, which I would be able to eat tomorrow anyway. I am not going to starve myself and feeling shaky is not for me.  So, I'm ok with eating some food today.  If I were doing this just to lose weight, then I would probably have a different attitude and feel the need to be more strict, but I think as long as I avoided most carbs, I did good! As far as downhill for you - do you mean that you've eaten poor food choices or just that you ATE instead of drank?  SF CIB isn't for everyone, it is really too sweet for me (I always mix in unflavored unjury to tone the flavor down, plus bumps up the protein level in it).  Please don't let this get you depressed.  That was NOT the intention of us doing this.  I say, you just skip over days 1 and 2 and start fresh tomorrow on day 3...soft protein, then continue on to day 5 with us.  You were banded, right?  I think you have different food requirements than us RNYers have.  Remember that. So what do you say?  Drink lots and lots of water tonight and tomorrow soft foods for you? Debi

Thank you Deb! I just talked to Lisa (my sister is lisajoy) on the phone and am bawling because I feel so frustrated with myself and my band at the moment.  My band was too tight a week and a half ago. I let it go for 2 weeks because I was losing good weight but had to be SO careful about what I ate and most on lapband board said I needed an unfill. So I had .2 cc taken out of my band. A tiny amount. But what I realize is that since then, I have caved to carb temptations regularly, am not staying full between meals, even solid protein meals. I am hungry in the AM too. All this means I probably need more fill. So tonight my son had pizza and I had a bite thinking I wouldn't be able to eat the crust but....no problem! So my band isn't helping me much right now. I would love to join you back tomorrow with solid protein but I'm afraid to fail again. Your note here is so encouraging , I'm going to print it off!

Debbie, If you think you will be setting yourself up for failure, then please don't do anymore of the 5-day.  Just instead concentrate on you.  I don't know a whole lot about the band, but I really do feel for you - getting some removed and now having to get some added.  I'm sorry it does not seem to be working for you right now.  Hopefully once they get you filled to the right amount you will experience more success which will pick you back up. I'm going to PM you my numbers so that if you want to or need to talk you can call me... (((((HUGS))))) to you! Debi

Hello, Ladies! I so agree with Debi.  We have to think of WHY we're doing this. I HAVE to master the carb monster. It's just tooo damn easy to graze on carbs. And I've been doing that mindlessly.  Yup---shame on me. That's why the 5DPT. I had a better day today than yesterday, because I was out of the house at placement. Took my instant mushroom soups (yech) and 1.5 litre water bottle with me, and stopped on the way home and got a different brand of low-carb protein drink for tomorrow. ((We shall see. Haven't  had any luck with whey or soy protein.    )) Also bought a box of SF popsicles which was for me was a success 'cuz I wasn't tempted to buy junk. So Deb--don't berate yourself.  Be nice to yourself!  It's all a learning curve. You're  learning about the fill stuff for the band. (I have no idea about that.)  I'm re-learning about my pouch and when it's actually full. That means leaving stuff on the plate--and being okay with throwing stuff out!  ((Old mentality!)) Take care, my dears.  You are both AWESOME!! (((HUGS)) and  **SUE**

Well Contratulations to both Deb and Sue and probably Troy! And I so appreciate the encouragement here. I am just being a drama mamma tonight and feeling like a blob. Once I get appointment made for next fill I'll cheer up because I know I can work my tool when my tool is at the correct fill level. With the band, the closer one is to the "sweet spot" the smaller increments with fill/unfill so it can be a little trying at times. Thanks again you guys.

Howdy Sue! You are so right about how easy it is to fall victim to the carbs, and it happens so innocently and before you know it you're grazing and taking inventory in the fridge &/or cabinets...scary.  I not only want to get things under control now, I need to.  I am so afraid of gaining weight, any weight.  I freak out when the scale goes up.  Still learning how to ride out the ups and downs. Congrats on the SF pops!  They are addicting, aren't they? Have a great night's sleep and we'll talk again tomorrow... Hugs, Debi

Debbie don't be so hard on yourself. Remember I said the first two days are the toughest and some people actually start with day 3 of the 5 day just because the first two days can be miserable. So hang in there and like I said try it for a few more days with the soft proteins and then tomorrow with the ground meats. lets face it deb you really don't get very full on liquid protiens hope this helps a little. Jim

Sorry so late!!!! It's been a really long day at work and I get home and ***** ***** *****  Anyway, too busy after work to get introuble had a soccer game.  Still sippin SF, FF, CF- water with fruit punch flavoring,  Had 5 SFCIB today and 2 of them were frozen.  I can't wait for solids but I have a new found respect for the pouch and to stay away from carbs. Troy