Bandsters - What have you learned?

[PhotoNut]

Since being banded I have learned...

...that no matter how many times I forget to chew my food well, my band does not forget to remind me.

...that even though I doubt my ability to succeed at achieving a healthy weight and BMI, my band keeps me moving on toward my goal.

...that it IS possible to eat out in a restaurant and not walk out feeling embarassed and fatter than Orson Wells.

...that my scale doesn't hate me.

...that the sizes of women's clothing has changed since I last wore a size 14. (I appreciate the clothing industry for trying to make me believe that I'm ok at 215 pounds just because I can wear a pair of 14 Levis.. but come on people.. Lets keep it real, k?)

...that I'm going to still be ok in a 130 pound body.

...that a 300 pound body isn't really all that safe afterall.

...that life does NOT revolve around food. It revolves around healthy food!


What have YOU learned??

[Kathy]

I have learned the amount of food I REALLY need is much less than what I want.

I have learned that the world won't fall apart just because I don't eat the amount of food I think I want.

I have learned that if, God forbid, I lose my band, I have a much better chance of continuing my weight loss, or at least maintaining, than I EVER did without ever having a band.

I have learned that I can eat well and less, but if I want to lose better and faster, I have GOT to move my still-big arse.

I have learned to dream big, that 145 pounds isn't out of the question. May take me a while, but I will see below 150 on the scale.

I have learned just how much hubby loves me.

[Jachut]

Food is wonderful - enjoyable, social, its wonderful to cook it, to be creative, to enjoy eating it. When you take away that "I'm going to have 4th helpings and stuff myself stupid" factor, I am really enjoying cooking and eating.

Makes me realise I've never appreciated food much before, just shoved it in.

[Chickie]

I have learned that my worth is not defined by my weight.

[gadgetlady]

I have learned that the band is not a magic bullet, as much as I would like it to be, and that it requires far more effort on my part than I really wanted to have to deal with :-/

That being said, I have also learned that I am capable of exercising and making good food choices, even if I often crave the unhealthy stuff.

[SandraDee]

I've learned that most of my food issues are psychological.

And that eating Jack in the Box for breakfast, Mc Donalds for lunch, and Pizza Hut for dinner is NOT normal.

I've learned that there are no miracle weight loss drugs and that at the end of the day, the calories I consume are what's gonna make me or break me.

[Mousecrazy]

I have learned that being patient is very important. It is very cliche, but apparently for a good reason: it took a while to achieve morbid obesity, and it's gonna take a while to lose all that weight, too!
I've learned I can turn down that brownie/cookie/whatever, and another one will probably show up later...I don't need to live in "scarcity mode".
I have learned that the need for perfectionism is part of my problem...if I couldn't do something perfectly, it gave me an excuse not to do it at all. That just doesn't work with health matters like good nutrition and exercise. Truly, something IS better than nothing!

[paula]

I have learned a new life style... One that doesnt focus on being ex-cluded.

[Tricia K.]

I have learned that exercise IS fun and that I love it.

[diva girl]

I have learned that....

* Being FULL is not the goal - that being SATISFIED is the goal
* Patience is something to strive for
* I am not alone

[LapBandit]

I've learned that there is truth to the old cliche of:
Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat.
And that my band helps me follow this mantra without feeling deprived!

[barbara465]

I have learned that:

Barium fills don't tell the whole story.
Quality of food is better than quantity
No one notices that I eat less
Food loses its taste once you chew it to death
Eating hard protein first does make you full
It is possible to eat without drinking
Making good food choices makes me feel proud
My DH loves me very, very much and this effects him as well as me

["Just" Paul]

Regular clothes are cheaper...

And a much bigger selection!

[Iulizbug]

I have learned that being hungry won't kill me

that I am very dependent on my band for satiation and it is
painful dealing with the hugner,not having saline in it due to
my unfill

that the scale isn't always accurate--how I look and feel is
much more important than a number

that exercise IS easier when I am thinner and it wasn't all in
my head that it physically hurt to exercise when I was MO

that being MO caused my severe depression and my lapband
alleviated it

I am just as beautiful on the outside as I am on the inside now

you should never keep your band too tight/it is not worth a
possible slip

that I will struggle with weight my whole life but as long as I
have my band there is hope

~Liz~
03/10/06
241/169/160
5'7''

[NotSoFunny]

I have learned that I am not the only one going through this journey. Everyone around me is affected, and only want to see me succeed. It really showe me how many people care about me.

[Ericsmom]

I have learned that I have more determination to make this work than I originally thought I had.

I have learned that even 10 lbs can make a difference in how you feel, look, and move.

I have learned who my real friends are by who takes time to ask me how I'm doing.

I have learned that it's okay to say "no thank you" when offered treats.

I have learned that I can get through my work day without M & M's :)

[A1ikou]

I've learned that although I always thought I wanted to 'be strong' and lose weight by myself to prove I could do it, now I have this network of support around me it's easier, better and so much more fun. I don't want to be alone ever again.

[Jill]

I have learned that life gives you back what you put into it.

I have learned that how *I* feel about how I look is more important than how random_person_01 feels about how I look.

Sexy starts inside.

"Fake it til you make it" works.

Feeling younger means feeling better.

Chicken is the devil. /nod

[wavydaby]

I have learned that I should have done this two years ago!
I have learned that this is not a race, albeit, slow and steady will win "races"
That I am not a deprived person and an extra piece of cake is not the answer.

[Maryb]

I have learned that I can eat without drinking anything.
I have learned that I like dry Kashi Go Lean for a crunchy snack.
I have learned that I can live without Diet Coke.
I have learned that I can live without Bread.
I have learned that I can make healthy food choices.

[NotSoFunny]

I have also learned that food has a powerful hold over me, even though it manifested itself in other ways previously. My lap-band will teach me to let go of the control over food, but to not let it control me in turn.

[PhotoNut]

*BUMP*

I know that there are a lot of you who are now a year or more down the road. There are many who are six months out. There are even more who are only just beginning. At every stage of this journey, we learn something new.

What have you learned about..

you
your family
your friends
food
nutrition
exercise
long term motivation
(insert your own 2cents)

[Idahobeauty]

I have certainly learned that I can be beautiful again. I have also learned who my true friends are. I have learned how awesome good food choices can be and I have learned how important exercise is in my life.

[Alicia521]

*BUMP*



I know that there are a lot of you who are now a year or more down the road. There are many who are six months out. There are even more who are only just beginning. At every stage of this journey, we learn something new.


What have you learned about..


you
your family
your friends
food
nutrition
exercise
long term motivation
(insert your own 2cents)



I have learned that I was hiding behind my fat. I got used to not getting any attention and actually somewhat liked it. I have had to deal with getting attention. I have learned that my true friends are still there regardless of my weight. I've learned that my life does not revolve around food and I actually enjoy healthy food now. I've learned to indulge occasionally, not every night. I've learned that I love the way I feel when I exercise and that it is a MUST to lose weight and be fit. I've learned that I love myself and I am worth taking care of.

[Greeneyetiger]

I have learned that I am capable of success in this weight loss battle.

I learned I ate more than I thought.

I am emotionally dependant on food for comfort and need to find other things to comfort me, like exercise, taking a bath, reading and whatever else I can do that is calorie free.

I learned more about carbs and how they are hidden in so many things, like most tomatoe sauces.

This has been a great journey. I know I can make it to goal with continued hard work and commitment.

Tina