Dinnerland recently posted on her blog some really GREAT questions and I thought that I would answer them as today's post:
* What would you say is the most important lesson or lessons you've learned about eating since you've been banded, and how has this contributed to your weight loss?
The most important lesson for me was learning that I can always eat more than the recommended 1 cup of food at a time. But just because I CAN eat more than 1 cup, doesn't mean that I should. That's why I depend on EXTERNAL tools to help me: small serving plates/bowls and my trusty food scale. These tools keep my portions in check and I know that when I am done eating my portion/serving, then I am done. No more food.
* How are you sustaining your motivation to continue forward?
I get a lot of motivation from my daily blogging and keeping my Lap Band Gal Facebook page updated with my latest food choices or exercise. It keeps me accountable and motivated. I also have that thought of the $16K that I paid for my band. I guess that I am financially motivated to make this weightloss stick.
* If you've experienced any discouraging set back moments, how did you deal with them, how long did they take to pass-- and what sort of specific strategies might you suggest that could work?
I haven't really had any set back moments, however I still struggle with the idea that there is no "done" in this journey. I often wish that there was a "done" or "finish line" and I hope that this doesn't lead me down a path of poor food choices and lack of exercise one day.
* Have you ever worried about being a complete failure at the band, and then gotten over that worry-- if so: did you tell yourself certain things that helped or do certain activities that reassured you?
This was never something that EVER entered my mind. I guess I have had the mindset from the beginning, even the pre-op days, that the only option was to be a success with my band...no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
* What is the proudest accomplishment you've made relative to your band journey thus far?
Getting off of my high blood pressure medications and resolving my borderline high cholesterol. I have always said from the beginning that I lost the weight for improved health.
* What are you looking forward to doing next in your journey?
MAINTENANCE. I will continue the daily struggle and successes that come with maintaining my weight below 145 lbs. I look forward to also reducing my body fat percent.
* Where do you see yourself 1 year from now and how are you planning to get yourself there?
I see myself at GOAL. I will keep doing what I've been doing ever since surgery: measuring my portions, drinking tons of water, taking my vitamins, EXERCISE, and attending my surgeon's support groups.
* What sort of goal setting do you do in general, and how do you motivate yourself to keep going towards those goals?
When I was losing I set 10 lb goals for myself. I celebrated every 10 lb loss. Now I just focus on being under 145 lbs.
* What is the most difficult thing about having the band and what makes it worth it anyway?
The most difficult thing for me is that I totally know that the band is not the quick fix or "easy button". I still have to do the work to reap the rewards. I could eat thousands and thousands of calories each day...my band doesn't stop me from eating those calories, I DO.
* Given the choice, would you be too tight or too loose and why? How would you handle either situation if you couldn't get in to your doctor for 4 weeks?
It's no secret that I keep my band on the looser side...I have never vomited or "PBd" since before surgery (Oct '09). I have about 7.4 ccs in a 10 cc band. That's what I like about the band, we can each use the tool as we want to. I also have read up on some various online medical sources that sometimes a too tight band leads to erosion and slips. Food for thought. I also like to be able to eat anything I want to (bread, etc). I don't like to be limited. For me, the band is ONLY about being satisfied/full for a longer period of time.
* What are your 3 to 5 'desert island band foods'-- things you WOULD NOT/ could not/ don't want to live without? What do you eat virtually every day and why?
I don't really understand this question...maybe because I still can eat all foods.
My usual foods:
-Greek yogurt
-Taco Bell beans/cheese/chicken
-Subway kids turkey/egg white sandwiches (i eat the bread)
-Chicken salad
-Cottage Cheese
-Pretty much what other people that I'm with are eating, just smaller portions.
* How many meals do you generally eat per day and at what times?
3 per day. 9am, 12pm, 5pm
* Do you exercise, and if so, about how much? Do you think exercise has been pivotal to your weight loss?
My favorite question! Exercise has BEEN SO PIVOTAL to my weightloss and key to maintaining my goal weight. I had to find something that I loved, luckily I found Zumba and Jazzercise. I hate gyms. I call the treadmill the 'dread'mill...i want to poke out my eyes and run away from those things. I need a group class environment to make me exercise. I Zumba/Jazzercise 5 times a week for 1 hour each time. That's 300 minutes of exercise for the week. The recommended weight loss surgery rules say at least 210 minutes per week (30 minutes/day). I figure I'm ahead of the game on the exercise.
YOUR TURN! Please go answer these questions on your blog. THANKS!
* What would you say is the most important lesson or lessons you've learned about eating since you've been banded, and how has this contributed to your weight loss?
The most important lesson for me was learning that I can always eat more than the recommended 1 cup of food at a time. But just because I CAN eat more than 1 cup, doesn't mean that I should. That's why I depend on EXTERNAL tools to help me: small serving plates/bowls and my trusty food scale. These tools keep my portions in check and I know that when I am done eating my portion/serving, then I am done. No more food.
* How are you sustaining your motivation to continue forward?
I get a lot of motivation from my daily blogging and keeping my Lap Band Gal Facebook page updated with my latest food choices or exercise. It keeps me accountable and motivated. I also have that thought of the $16K that I paid for my band. I guess that I am financially motivated to make this weightloss stick.
* If you've experienced any discouraging set back moments, how did you deal with them, how long did they take to pass-- and what sort of specific strategies might you suggest that could work?
I haven't really had any set back moments, however I still struggle with the idea that there is no "done" in this journey. I often wish that there was a "done" or "finish line" and I hope that this doesn't lead me down a path of poor food choices and lack of exercise one day.
* Have you ever worried about being a complete failure at the band, and then gotten over that worry-- if so: did you tell yourself certain things that helped or do certain activities that reassured you?
This was never something that EVER entered my mind. I guess I have had the mindset from the beginning, even the pre-op days, that the only option was to be a success with my band...no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
* What is the proudest accomplishment you've made relative to your band journey thus far?
Getting off of my high blood pressure medications and resolving my borderline high cholesterol. I have always said from the beginning that I lost the weight for improved health.
* What are you looking forward to doing next in your journey?
MAINTENANCE. I will continue the daily struggle and successes that come with maintaining my weight below 145 lbs. I look forward to also reducing my body fat percent.
* Where do you see yourself 1 year from now and how are you planning to get yourself there?
I see myself at GOAL. I will keep doing what I've been doing ever since surgery: measuring my portions, drinking tons of water, taking my vitamins, EXERCISE, and attending my surgeon's support groups.
* What sort of goal setting do you do in general, and how do you motivate yourself to keep going towards those goals?
When I was losing I set 10 lb goals for myself. I celebrated every 10 lb loss. Now I just focus on being under 145 lbs.
* What is the most difficult thing about having the band and what makes it worth it anyway?
The most difficult thing for me is that I totally know that the band is not the quick fix or "easy button". I still have to do the work to reap the rewards. I could eat thousands and thousands of calories each day...my band doesn't stop me from eating those calories, I DO.
* Given the choice, would you be too tight or too loose and why? How would you handle either situation if you couldn't get in to your doctor for 4 weeks?
It's no secret that I keep my band on the looser side...I have never vomited or "PBd" since before surgery (Oct '09). I have about 7.4 ccs in a 10 cc band. That's what I like about the band, we can each use the tool as we want to. I also have read up on some various online medical sources that sometimes a too tight band leads to erosion and slips. Food for thought. I also like to be able to eat anything I want to (bread, etc). I don't like to be limited. For me, the band is ONLY about being satisfied/full for a longer period of time.
* What are your 3 to 5 'desert island band foods'-- things you WOULD NOT/ could not/ don't want to live without? What do you eat virtually every day and why?
I don't really understand this question...maybe because I still can eat all foods.
My usual foods:
-Greek yogurt
-Taco Bell beans/cheese/chicken
-Subway kids turkey/egg white sandwiches (i eat the bread)
-Chicken salad
-Cottage Cheese
-Pretty much what other people that I'm with are eating, just smaller portions.
* How many meals do you generally eat per day and at what times?
3 per day. 9am, 12pm, 5pm
* Do you exercise, and if so, about how much? Do you think exercise has been pivotal to your weight loss?
My favorite question! Exercise has BEEN SO PIVOTAL to my weightloss and key to maintaining my goal weight. I had to find something that I loved, luckily I found Zumba and Jazzercise. I hate gyms. I call the treadmill the 'dread'mill...i want to poke out my eyes and run away from those things. I need a group class environment to make me exercise. I Zumba/Jazzercise 5 times a week for 1 hour each time. That's 300 minutes of exercise for the week. The recommended weight loss surgery rules say at least 210 minutes per week (30 minutes/day). I figure I'm ahead of the game on the exercise.
YOUR TURN! Please go answer these questions on your blog. THANKS!
Thanks so much for answering, you had some very good answers. (As usual!)
ReplyDeleteYou are so my hero and honestly I have modeled my weight loss after yours. Everything that you mention that does NOT involve being at goal or in maintenance I can completely agree with and I do the same things. I measure/weigh every day I track calories, protein and water every day my band is still looser (3.5 in a 10cc band) I think I may push up .5 though to get to 4 in my band. I also exercise about 260 mins per week (about 40 mins per day + Zumba). I attribute Zumba to you and seriously work hard every week to live the LBG way! : ) And yeah, my 40 lbs in 13 weeks is the proof in the Lf/SF pudding. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering the questions. I really neead to get back to measuring my food. I stopped. However, I got a new and improved scale last night. I plan on weighing again. I think the fact that I can eat more than 1 cup of food has been the reason I'm not losing the way I should.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out that just because you can does not mean you should.
Yep, thanks for answering! Reading the answers I've seen so far has reminded me about the amount of input I need to give to the band process and how to moderate that. I admire your success and agree that I you are a great role model!!
ReplyDeleteWow, your answers are so similar to mine. The whole 1 cup thing is one of the hardest to remember- yes, I CAN eat more, but that doesn't mean I should. I like keeping my band loose, and as a self-pay as well, failure was never even a consideration!
ReplyDeleteGreat answers to great questions. You continue to inspire me...thank you!
ReplyDelete