Hiya 188!

I was all set to do a down 90 lbs. (40.8 kg.) post today, but I'm not complaining.  I am now down 92 lbs. (41.7 kg.) with a loss of 2.4 lbs. (1.1 kg.) since last week.  My goal is 8 lbs. (3.6 kg.) away!  HOLY CRAP!!!!  As of this morning, I weigh 188 lbs. (85.3 kg.).

I know there are quite a few newbies following my blog so I thought I would roll out one of those What I'm Doing posts.  I haven't done one in a while.  I want to start by saying that GASTRIC BANDING WORKS!  I struggled with my weight and sluggish metabolism for a long time.  I feared nothing would ever work for me and that I would be fat forever.  My starting BMI was 42.6.  It is now 28.6 and I am no longer obese.  

So here it is, in no particular order:

#1 - Eat all foods in moderation:  Nothing is off-limits.  I eat and enjoy all foods without guilt in moderation.  If I want something, I have it.  You will not see me posting about how I was "bad" and ate this or that.  I do not think there are such things as "good" or "bad" foods.  Some foods are healthier than others.  

#2 - Exercise every day:  Even at 280 lbs., I incorporated regular physical activity into my routine.  I have done many things over the years, but what I do right now is walk each morning for 30 minutes.  I also ride my bike to work on Tuesday and Thursday (about 3.5 miles each way) and I often ride my bike to church on Sundays (1 mile each way).   A few nights a week, I lift free weights while watching TV. 

I know a lot of people equate exercisee with going to a gym to work out.  I have done that in the past, but right now I cannot afford a gym and I don't have the time to go even if I could.  I want people to know that you don't have to spend a lot of time and money on a gym workout if they don't want to.  It is possible to lose weight without it.

#3 - Eat at least 50 grams of protein:  I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian since I was 19 years old and so I have to make an effort to get my protein in.  In this process, I have found that I lose weight more consistently when I eat protein. 

#4 - DON'T count calories:  I should say that the first few months post-op I did write down everything I ate and the calorie counts.  I did it sporadically through June and then it just sort of petered out.  I will sometimes count everything up in my head, but I don't usually do that anymore either.  I did it initially because it was a safety net for me, I guess.  I didn't know how the whole band-thing would work and I wanted to be successful.  But after months of steady weight-loss I came to realize that I didn't want to do it anymore.  I want to live my life and NOT be on a diet.  I've always believed that the healthiest diet was one it which all things were permitted in moderation (see #1) and my gastric band lets me eat that way without dieting.

#5 - Blog: I had my surgery in Mexico so I don't have a local surgeon for follow up care.  I do have a great fill doctor here in Eugene, but I've been at my sweet spot since June so I don't see her much.  What I do have is all of you guys to support me and be accountable to.  You are amazing and I am so glad I started this blog!

#6 - Eat when I'm hungry.  Stop when I'm full:  I generally eat only when I'm hungry and I stop when my band tells me to.  I typically have three meals a day.  I seldom have snacks.  When you have good restriction, there is a lot less hunger.  But if I am hungry, I will eat regardless of whether it is a meal time or not.  And sometimes I chose to have popcorn after dinner or a dessert in the evening, but it is a pretty infrequent thing.

So that's it!  I have said many times that there isn't anything special that I am doing that I will stop when I hit my goal.  The gastric band has been the very best choice for me and I am so happy I did it!