YOU MUST BE MILITANT to be above average

Fabulous! Bookmarked!

Words fail me Ruggie, you have brought happy tears to my eyes.  Superman has just landed!  Tell it Ruggie, tell it loud and clear!  I am doing the happy dance.  Whoo hoo... reinforcements have arrived.

On the contrary, you're served as a very inspirational icon to me.  I take a lot of my advice from your own words.

Given how 'incendiary' Frisco's post was to some, I'm pretty surprised that no one has torn me a new one yet.

Oh just wait, they are probably to busy eating to tear into you now.  I am just kidding.  I am thrilled that  you are here, we are all going to have to sharpen our game to keep up.  The new energy, insight and research is fantastic.  Frisco PM'ed me to take a look at the new VSG superstar. 

Ha ha!  I was actually thinking "I bet they're busy eating" but I was too chicken to say it 'aloud'!!!  

If/when I hit goal, I'm going to have to challenge you and Frisco to a bay-area fashion off.  I have no idea how this could possibly work; that won't stop me from issuing the challenge.

With pictures posted on here we get to vote....

Wonderful, encouraging post! Thanks.

Ah, the love affair with food. As much as I would like to kill my feeling for food, I love food and flavors - it is a joy of life. I am commited, however, to learn to love and enjoy healthy, nourishing food. It's going to take a while, but changes in attitude can be made. I've started drinking almond milk (instead of regualr or soy) in my decaf and my protein shakes. 40 calories, 2 carbs per cup. It took a bit getting used to, but I like it now and it saves me 14 carbs per serving. I'm in love with Shelley's Baked Ricotta (though I do a lower fat version). Who would have thought that pureed foods could taste like Lasagne without the noodles and meat?! 

I think it's okay to still enjoy food. It's my guess Frisco must enjoy his food. His food porn is awesome. It's my goal and hope to be putting the energy that I used in the kitchen making dishes like corn pudding, buttered chicken in cream and paprika, French Onion Soup, Pot Roasts dripping with gravy, and mashed potatoes into new, delcious and healthy fare that will keep me healthy, satisfied and enjoying food for a lifetime.

Am I "cheating" tonight or tomorrow? Hell no! I have worked my butt off over the past months to get this far. I'm having my entire family over tonight for Christmas Eve. My dinner is totally sleeve friendly- a revamped  and now low fat onion soup, Caeasr salad (which I will not eat) and a sugar free lemon mousse. My carb count for dinner is 8!

I have gotten so much encouragement from OH members. The wealth of knowledge here is amazing and has helped me so much.

Thanks again for the thought provoking post, Ruggie!

See, you've got the right mentality there.  Rather than playling slippery-slope games with yourself and still using half-and-half or regular milk, you've searched out for a healthier alternative.  That's the kind of behavior which, I believe, increases the odds of losing more weight.  It's about making changes not seeing how long you can go until you can "eat normally" again.  I don't want to be one of those patients that logs-in two years from now, seeking support because I gained back 80 pounds.  

Frisco definitely enjoys his food!  It's so obvious, and I'm delighted by it.  A Frisco food post brings me joy.  But Frisco is two things (1) honest with himself about what he should eat and (2) not lazy.  You can't take a lazy approach, buying "convenient" food to make his dishes - you're going to have to shop around, learn to cook and season, and really pay attention to nutritional information.  You notice that he knows the calories and proteins that go into his mouth!  I'm not knocking convenient food - I love my protein shakes and canned tuna, but I long for Frisco to publish that cookbook!

Congrats on your committment to not cheat; that (I believe) also puts you ahead of the curve.  I know others here have already resigned to 'cheat' during the holiday - it's the holiday!  (I love reflexive excuses!)  Congrats to you!

 
ruggie..... your a "Frickin Animal  !!!!!"

Not only is this well laid out and beneficial the the newer ones......

It keeps those of us in maintenance on our toes !!!!!

And please....start pointing the finger at someone else!!!!

I didn't come up with stuff.....I learned from the good Dr. and many frrom here......

I will take credit for spreading the under eating word.....but that's common sense I/we learn from Dr.C on eating fixed amounts.....

Go get em'

frisco

Well, you can say that undereating the sleeve is common sense, but I didn't either get it at first or I wasn't listening fully to our surgeon or nutrionist. I actually learned it solely from one of your supportive posts. I had surgery thinking that the sensation of restriction was going to be my guide; fortunately you continue to pay it forward for us newer folk. That has been my single, individual piece of advice so far.