thanks to Seaview and the "5 day pouch test"

You never know Wendy, you've got 11 days until that appt. and if you feel like stretching the pouch test out a few more days, you just might make goal by the 17th!  You are certainly close enough to consider yourself successful at this point.  I admire your honesty about where you know your problems lie and I'm listening closely so I can learn from your experience.

Remember S/F Jello is your friend and feels like you're chewing and have something in your tummy for a bit.  Keep me posted on your progress and I hope you will do fantastic and jump start your weight loss again!

:-)

 Ruthie, thanks. What a weight loss star you have been in such a short time! I feel like a success for myself, but I want a cushion for bounce back. I know I shouldn't compare with anyone, but I enjoy knowing how others are successful.

I will use the test to get back to basics, putting more effort into having solid protein. I rely on my Beneprotein maybe too much. I'll finally buy some bison and think of you.

Wendy, thank you for your kind words.  You've always been so supportive!  I consider myself extremely blessed that my RNY has done its job without a whole lot of effort on my part.  I am guilty of relying on my protein powders along with eggs and cheese more than anything else when it comes to protein.  I've ended up not being a huge fan of dense proteins except for a smathering here and there.  I do make mini meatballs out of the bison to keep in the freezer along with store bought pre-seasoned, grilled shrimps I can throw into the toaster oven... oh, and there's some tequila/lime chicken wings that are also pre-cooked in there waiting to be sampled. When I purchased talapia filets and chicken tenders with grand ideas of whipping up something special they just stared back at me blankly from the dark corner I'd placed them in.      So, I don't waste my money on them anymore.  I don't have a lot of interest in meats nowadays... like I said I fall back on eggs & cheese.  Deviled egg salad, fried eggs w/melted cheese and dried hot peppers sprinkled on top.  Cheese cubes, cheese sticks, cheese slices... I do mozzarella, swiss and provolone for the most part. 

We all have to do what works for us as individuals I guess.  You've mentioned carbs and tracking your calories is what you believe has kept your growth slower and that surely makes sense.  Is your food tracker free?  Does it have a large data base to make it easy to use?  Does it try to attach itself to your facebook account?  I'd heard that dailyplate from the Lance Armstrong site was a great one but I refuse to give it access to my Facebook and all my friends' info.  . . and I've rebelled against creating another mock Facebook page just so I could trick it into letting me utilize the tracker. 

Anyway, I've always thought that slower weight loss was a more certain weight loss and better on the skin and redistribution the body has to go through.  You've excelled at that and I mean that in a good way.  You will get that bounce back room you are looking for because I've watched you remain steady at the helm for the last 9 months...  Your pouch test is going to make a difference for you, I just feel it.  If people are asked to go on a two week liquid diet before surgery, whether it's really necessary or not, what's to say that's not a viable way to detox from the carbs and lose the extra weight you want gone?  It surely won't kill ya!  Man CAN live on Jello alone!  hahaha

You have a great day Wendy!  Thanks for being a rock ... I love rocks.   :-)

 I like my tracker. Found it after trying several. myfitnesspal.com I don't have facebook, so I know it works without. It seems to have a really good data base and can be adjusted easily for our tiny servings. I know it works, I just get lazy.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who lets food languish. I feel guilty throwing stuff out, but better to "waste" than "waist", an old WW phrase.

You are always sunny and love rocks! I guess AZ is a perfect home for you. Enjoy!

Thank you Wendy!  I will check out myfitnesspal.com  I'm getting close enough that I suppose I better prepare to start having help counting calories, which I've managed to avoid thus far.  LOL   My "pizza pie of a life" only has room for so many ingredients, but I guess I could have the anchovies or jalapenos on the side by request, if I need to throw a tracker in the mix.  ;-)

I like the WW phrase...   I'm tempted to say it "Not Waste - Waist Not!" in my head so I'll not feel guilty about continuing to toss things that need to be tossed.  LOL

Yep.  I'm a desert rat, born in El Paso, Texas but AZ has been my home of choice twice for a total of 12 years or so.  Not the hot southern end of the state either!  We have trees and streams in close proximity to the high chaparral I inhabit with the rocks and beasties.

Well, onto the rest of the day.  Hope you're staying hydrated and keeping that pouch full of good stuff!  I'm proud you took the leap!

Hang in there. You'll enjoy the rewards of going through this.

 Thanks, Kimberly. You and I are both close to the year mark. We both seem determined to make the most of our tool and I think that is key to long term success. 

Keep up your good work!

 Hey I've been away for two days and look at the new pouch tester...congratulations...I ate AS MUCH of the protein as I wanted to...no calorie count necessary for this as long as you don't have carbo...
that's the beauty of it...and once you get over the first two days of yuck carb detox ....you feel better and get your energy back...it is yet another tool in our arsenal....for me food is the issue...sloppy food habits...slipping back into poor habits...feeling like I NEED carbs again....so this is a reminder that I do not need carbs in the form of cracker cereal or white flour...for others of us the food is not the issue it's the amount or how much we excercise etc...anyhow congrats on your effort and I am looking forward to how you will feel and also how inspiring you are to others...SEAVIEW