Diet Time!!! I'm starting, you're invited...

brightlynx11 said:Look, I never claimed my way was the only way, just that it delivers the best results. Studies show about 90% of people cut their weight in half within two years of getting a gastric band. Most of them actually keep the weight off even after the band comes out. In the rest of the world, this is a routine fix for morbid obesity, and for tons of people, it’s literally a lifesaver.

I’m not so sure an 1100-calorie restrictive diet can really become someone's "lifestyle." Personally, I figured out which foods were healthy and what I should be eating a long time ago—mostly because both my parents had heart bypass surgery—but I ended up eating WAY too much of those "healthy" foods. It isn't just about *what* you eat; it's about how much. My issue wasn't my food structure, it was volume, and that's where the band helps because it physically limits how much you can shove in.
The magic part about the band is that you can stick to an 1100-calorie limit without feeling like you're starving. Not feeling hungry is HUGE, and anyone who’s ever tried to diet knows exactly what I mean. Right now, I get full off one tiny yogurt and stay satisfied for like 5 or 6 hours.
Why did I see results so fast? Because I stuck to that restrictive diet 99.99% of the time (okay, I had a slice of birthday cake), I didn't fail because I wasn't even hungry, and I crushed an hour on the elliptical every single day.
One big reason people crash and burn on diets is pure hunger—they can't stand it. And the heavier a person is, the bigger the stomach, which makes that hunger even worse. So, for anyone with a massive BMI (like, over 40), the most logical move is to get the band and solve the problem once and for all. Just because the medical establishment here in America is conservative about this method doesn't change the fact that globally, this is standard procedure, often done as an outpatient thing.
Besides, it’s not like this is the only life-saving surgery out there, so I don't get why everyone is making such a huge deal out of it.

Of course, whether or not someone actually goes through with getting the band is a personal call. You have to be honest with yourself and promise you'll actually follow the rules...

People get worked up because they still view obesity as a failure of willpower—a character flaw—rather than a legitimate medical issue.
There is a massive difference between being a few pounds overweight and being in a category of pathological obesity with a high BMI. Pathological obesity doesn't just happen overnight; the entire body undergoes physiological changes. You can't judge someone dealing with clinical obesity based on the few extra pounds someone might carry due to bad habits.
It feels pretty hypocritical to lecture someone about "willpower" when they're choosing a procedure that actually saves their life. Obesity kills, both directly and indirectly. Meanwhile, you see countless women rushing into totally unnecessary liposuction or cosmetic tweaks that have absolutely nothing to do with health.

Alright, let me jump in on this too! I'm curious—what kind of diets are you all actually following? Personally, I try to mix things up by balancing my food intake... I actually have a few books on the subject at home... and if anyone is looking for diet recommendations, I can share those too.👍

Should I be posting what I eat here?
About two years ago, I managed to lose 10 pounds over the course of a year, and from what I can see, none of it has come back.👍 It's just that, well, I still have about 5 to 10 pounds left... the kind that just won't budge, no matter what I do.

brightlynx11 said:Look, I never claimed my way was the only way, just that it delivers the best results. Studies show about 90% of people cut their weight in half within two years of getting a gastric band. Most of them actually keep the weight off even after the band comes out. In the rest of the world, this is a routine fix for morbid obesity, and for tons of people, it’s literally a lifesaver.

I’m not so sure an 1100-calorie restrictive diet can really become someone's "lifestyle." Personally, I figured out which foods were healthy and what I should be eating a long time ago—mostly because both my parents had heart bypass surgery—but I ended up eating WAY too much of those "healthy" foods. It isn't just about *what* you eat; it's about how much. My issue wasn't my food structure, it was volume, and that's where the band helps because it physically limits how much you can shove in.
The magic part about the band is that you can stick to an 1100-calorie limit without feeling like you're starving. Not feeling hungry is HUGE, and anyone who’s ever tried to diet knows exactly what I mean. Right now, I get full off one tiny yogurt and stay satisfied for like 5 or 6 hours.
Why did I see results so fast? Because I stuck to that restrictive diet 99.99% of the time (okay, I had a slice of birthday cake), I didn't fail because I wasn't even hungry, and I crushed an hour on the elliptical every single day.
One big reason people crash and burn on diets is pure hunger—they can't stand it. And the heavier a person is, the bigger the stomach, which makes that hunger even worse. So, for anyone with a massive BMI (like, over 40), the most logical move is to get the band and solve the problem once and for all. Just because the medical establishment here in America is conservative about this method doesn't change the fact that globally, this is standard procedure, often done as an outpatient thing.
Besides, it’s not like this is the only life-saving surgery out there, so I don't get why everyone is making such a huge deal out of it.

Of course, whether or not someone actually goes through with getting the band is a personal call. You have to be honest with yourself and promise you'll actually follow the rules...

Personally, I don't buy into the whole 1,100-calorie diet thing.
Look, if you’re going to follow the rules, you’re going to follow them whether you have a band or not. People who opt for surgery beforehand go through extensive testing (which you know firsthand), and doctors select candidates they believe won't just give up halfway through. So, that high percentage of people opting for surgery isn't actually that surprising.

I’m not criticizing your choice. I’m just saying that while it might have felt like the most acceptable path for you, it might not be for someone else. There’s no point in trying to market your specific way of doing things as the only way. I’m not claiming my approach is superior, so there’s really no need for you to insist that your path is the "most rational" solution.

Whether you choose surgery or start a strict diet, you’re essentially deciding to permanently overhaul your lifestyle (assuming you actually want to lose weight for good). Your results might come faster, sure, but both methods can work. It really just comes down to what works for the individual.

stormylynx4 said:People get worked up because they still view obesity as a failure of willpower—a character flaw—rather than a legitimate medical issue.
There is a massive difference between being a few pounds overweight and being in a category of pathological obesity with a high BMI. Pathological obesity doesn't just happen overnight; the entire body undergoes physiological changes. You can't judge someone dealing with clinical obesity based on the few extra pounds someone might carry due to bad habits.
It feels pretty hypocritical to lecture someone about "willpower" when they're choosing a procedure that actually saves their life. Obesity kills, both directly and indirectly. Meanwhile, you see countless women rushing into totally unnecessary liposuction or cosmetic tweaks that have absolutely nothing to do with health.

I don't look at this as a willpower issue; I see it as a health issue and a psychological one too. I’m definitely not one of those people who just makes grand gestures and says, "Just eat less, move your heavy butt, and you'll lose weight."
I understand what pathological obesity is. I know exactly what I'm talking about. 😉

I’m not getting worked up over anyone's decision to use surgery to help achieve a healthy weight. Nor am I suggesting that surgery is linked to a lack of willpower. 😕 I am simply denying that it is the single most rational or best solution for everyone; I’m stating that it is just *one* of many solutions. At the end of the day, everyone chooses their own path.

How do you even go about adding broken-up quotes like this into a reply?

Man, you guys are really going at it... 👍 Let me give you the quick rundown on the trip. I won't get into family drama, but honestly, everyone there is obsessed with food, even if they aren't overweight—people just work a lot. When you visit, you HAVE TO EAT, whether you want to or not. I was there for two and a half days and I don't regret a single bite. You can't exactly tell a 70-year-old auntie to just whip up some plain chicken breast or she'll send you straight to hell! Even my boyfriend, who is a total foodie himself, said he couldn't take another bite! But the kicker was that after those massive lunches, we didn't eat anything else all day!
Anyway, I’m not stepping on the scale for another week because I set a two-week rule for myself, but I feel and think I haven't gained weight.
Once we got back Sunday night, I jumped right back into the routine I set for myself.
Sam Alvarez29 says I'm being irrational. Okay, fair enough. But hey, Sam, did you consider that when I first started this "diet," my body actually needed a reset?! Out of that 3.5 lbs, I think I truly lost maybe a pound or so, and my next goal is to drop about a pound every two weeks. And the best part? I didn't deprive myself of anything, nor was I starving. Sure, I cut back a little on the oil and cheese and stuff, but that's just how it works, right?! Come on! 😛
About that... thing... the measuring tape... I have an opinion too 😬 brightlynx11, I am so happy you dropped those heavy pounds. I wasn't in quite your shoes, but I know that incredible feeling when you look in the mirror and you aren't standing five feet away from it just to see yourself 😉 I’ve been following your posts, and no offense intended... but it seems like the measuring tape has started calling the shots. I get the impatience, and I might have even cheated a bit once I hit a certain weight—and again, I'm not saying that's bad. But now that you've hit 190 lbs, I don't know how much more you want to lose, so why not ditch the tape and just transition to eating a bit healthier? You aren't, as people say, morbidly obese anymore; you can handle the rest on your own, and it seems like a better way to go.
I mean, seriously, how healthy is it for your body to just have one tiny yogurt every 5 or 6 hours versus living off a single slice of cheesecake all day? That doesn't sound right to me. Maybe for a short burst, but what kind of long-term damage are you doing to your system? I'm asking because nobody else seems to be talking about that... 🙂
So, folks... for the first time in a long time, I don't feel miserable about myself. I'm pushing forward because I can feel the results—more mentally than physically—but that's what matters. The rest will eventually fall into place...
Cheers... 👋
P.S. Laura Davis62, I'm not from some small town in the middle of nowhere 🙂

Mark Stewart4 said:Man, you guys are really going at it... 👍 Let me give you the quick rundown on the trip. I won't get into family drama, but honestly, everyone there is obsessed with food, even if they aren't overweight—people just work a lot. When you visit, you HAVE TO EAT, whether you want to or not. I was there for two and a half days and I don't regret a single bite. You can't exactly tell a 70-year-old auntie to just whip up some plain chicken breast or she'll send you straight to hell! Even my boyfriend, who is a total foodie himself, said he couldn't take another bite! But the kicker was that after those massive lunches, we didn't eat anything else all day!
Anyway, I’m not stepping on the scale for another week because I set a two-week rule for myself, but I feel and think I haven't gained weight.
Once we got back Sunday night, I jumped right back into the routine I set for myself.
Sam Alvarez29 says I'm being irrational. Okay, fair enough. But hey, Sam, did you consider that when I first started this "diet," my body actually needed a reset?! Out of that 3.5 lbs, I think I truly lost maybe a pound or so, and my next goal is to drop about a pound every two weeks. And the best part? I didn't deprive myself of anything, nor was I starving. Sure, I cut back a little on the oil and cheese and stuff, but that's just how it works, right?! Come on! 😛
About that... thing... the measuring tape... I have an opinion too 😬 brightlynx11, I am so happy you dropped those heavy pounds. I wasn't in quite your shoes, but I know that incredible feeling when you look in the mirror and you aren't standing five feet away from it just to see yourself 😉 I’ve been following your posts, and no offense intended... but it seems like the measuring tape has started calling the shots. I get the impatience, and I might have even cheated a bit once I hit a certain weight—and again, I'm not saying that's bad. But now that you've hit 190 lbs, I don't know how much more you want to lose, so why not ditch the tape and just transition to eating a bit healthier? You aren't, as people say, morbidly obese anymore; you can handle the rest on your own, and it seems like a better way to go.
I mean, seriously, how healthy is it for your body to just have one tiny yogurt every 5 or 6 hours versus living off a single slice of cheesecake all day? That doesn't sound right to me. Maybe for a short burst, but what kind of long-term damage are you doing to your system? I'm asking because nobody else seems to be talking about that... 🙂
So, folks... for the first time in a long time, I don't feel miserable about myself. I'm pushing forward because I can feel the results—more mentally than physically—but that's what matters. The rest will eventually fall into place...
Cheers... 👋
P.S. Laura Davis62, I'm not from some small town in the middle of nowhere 🙂

Another 33 pounds. For someone my height, that wouldn't even be a dent. 😬
If I take this strip off now, all those pounds are coming right back. Why? Because my metabolism hasn't even stabilized yet. 😉
LOL, since when did everyone decide that a simple headband isn't healthy? What, like surgery is actually good for you? 😬
You don't pull the gastric band until you've hit your goal weight, maybe 2 or 3 years down the road. Why? Because that’s how long it takes your body to actually adjust to the food intake and get your metabolism steady. And for the record, nobody's ever died from a band—they've been using them since 1985. 😉 People used to drop dead just from getting their appendix out. 🤣

Mark Stewart4 said:Man, you guys are really going at it... 👍 Let me give you the quick rundown on the trip. I won't get into family drama, but honestly, everyone there is obsessed with food, even if they aren't overweight—people just work a lot. When you visit, you HAVE TO EAT, whether you want to or not. I was there for two and a half days and I don't regret a single bite. You can't exactly tell a 70-year-old auntie to just whip up some plain chicken breast or she'll send you straight to hell! Even my boyfriend, who is a total foodie himself, said he couldn't take another bite! But the kicker was that after those massive lunches, we didn't eat anything else all day!
Anyway, I’m not stepping on the scale for another week because I set a two-week rule for myself, but I feel and think I haven't gained weight.
Once we got back Sunday night, I jumped right back into the routine I set for myself.
Sam Alvarez29 says I'm being irrational. Okay, fair enough. But hey, Sam, did you consider that when I first started this "diet," my body actually needed a reset?! Out of that 3.5 lbs, I think I truly lost maybe a pound or so, and my next goal is to drop about a pound every two weeks. And the best part? I didn't deprive myself of anything, nor was I starving. Sure, I cut back a little on the oil and cheese and stuff, but that's just how it works, right?! Come on! 😛
About that... thing... the measuring tape... I have an opinion too 😬 brightlynx11, I am so happy you dropped those heavy pounds. I wasn't in quite your shoes, but I know that incredible feeling when you look in the mirror and you aren't standing five feet away from it just to see yourself 😉 I’ve been following your posts, and no offense intended... but it seems like the measuring tape has started calling the shots. I get the impatience, and I might have even cheated a bit once I hit a certain weight—and again, I'm not saying that's bad. But now that you've hit 190 lbs, I don't know how much more you want to lose, so why not ditch the tape and just transition to eating a bit healthier? You aren't, as people say, morbidly obese anymore; you can handle the rest on your own, and it seems like a better way to go.
I mean, seriously, how healthy is it for your body to just have one tiny yogurt every 5 or 6 hours versus living off a single slice of cheesecake all day? That doesn't sound right to me. Maybe for a short burst, but what kind of long-term damage are you doing to your system? I'm asking because nobody else seems to be talking about that... 🙂
So, folks... for the first time in a long time, I don't feel miserable about myself. I'm pushing forward because I can feel the results—more mentally than physically—but that's what matters. The rest will eventually fall into place...
Cheers... 👋
P.S. Laura Davis62, I'm not from some small town in the middle of nowhere 🙂

How many times do I have to say it? I've got an entire TEAM of doctors looking out for me. I can literally call my doctor in the middle of the night if things go sideways. I’m doing blood work and urine tests every single month, checking hormones every two months, and seeing my surgeon monthly. I’ve got my own hematologist, internist, endocrinologist... the whole works, all right there at the same hospital where I had my surgery. These people genuinely give a damn about everyone who gets operated on there.
I’m hitting the liquid vitamins and minerals hard now; honestly, my only issue is not getting enough calories. I eat pretty much anything, just nothing tough, sugary, or loaded with salt. It used to take over a pound of fish to fill me up for lunch, but nowadays, a few ounces does the trick. It’s not like I’m starving myself, I’m just eating way, way less. Dinner is usually just a single yogurt, and I stick to Corn Flakes in the morning. I don't touch cream pies—I was just using that as an example to show you that even sweets won't go down easy when you're wearing a waist trainer.

I've been overweight for as long as I can remember. I’ve been seeing endocrinologists since I was eight years old. I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING—Herbalife, Reductil, Xenical. Every single thing. And nothing worked. NOTHING. I finally had the gastric sleeve surgery out of pure desperation, and it was my only lifeline. Being obese is the most dangerous thing you can be. And honestly, I doubt any of you get what it's like when you're trying to drop 130 pounds instead of just 12. That race is over before it even starts... just ask anyone who's ever lived with a BMI over 40.

My "diet" has been my way of life for years now. It basically boils down to doing an hour of cardio at the gym four times a week. Whether it's cycling, the stepper, or rowing... that’s really the secret. That’s only four hours a week, minimum, and I eat whatever I want. Of course, I don't overindulge after 7 or 8 PM. If I get hungry, I'll grab some fruit, a yogurt, or just load up on fresh lemonade or a nice tea. To me, that is the healthiest way to lose weight. I don't see why someone with a BMI over 40 couldn't use a stepper, a rower, or an elliptical. I didn't mention running because if you're carrying significant extra weight, running puts way too much stress on your joints, especially your knees. So, running is a "no," but everything else is on the table. Just cardio, though—don't even think about heavy weights! Plus, there's L-carnitine, which really kicks things into gear by boosting your metabolic rate; you'll end up soaked in sweat, which is great for burning off excess fat. Forget restrictive diets. You just need to lean toward eating healthy: plenty of fruit, veggies, fiber, and protein. Use carbs in moderation, even though they're important, and keep fats and sugars lower. I still treat myself to cake or ice cream whenever I feel like it. Regular exercise keeps my body healthy and my weight steady. Beyond that, staying fit actually helps your mental health, too. You should try exercising 😉

It is absolutely vital that you never let yourself get ravenous. I’m talking about that level of hunger where you feel like you could eat the whole table—so, these days, I make sure to grab a little snack every two hours. The key is keeping it healthy and picking something that actually fits the time of day.
My go-to snacks are usually just some fresh fruit or maybe some whole grain crackers (you can find plenty at Target) paired with tea or a yogurt.

steelsailor8 said:My "diet" has been my way of life for years now. It basically boils down to doing an hour of cardio at the gym four times a week. Whether it's cycling, the stepper, or rowing... that’s really the secret. That’s only four hours a week, minimum, and I eat whatever I want. Of course, I don't overindulge after 7 or 8 PM. If I get hungry, I'll grab some fruit, a yogurt, or just load up on fresh lemonade or a nice tea. To me, that is the healthiest way to lose weight. I don't see why someone with a BMI over 40 couldn't use a stepper, a rower, or an elliptical. I didn't mention running because if you're carrying significant extra weight, running puts way too much stress on your joints, especially your knees. So, running is a "no," but everything else is on the table. Just cardio, though—don't even think about heavy weights! Plus, there's L-carnitine, which really kicks things into gear by boosting your metabolic rate; you'll end up soaked in sweat, which is great for burning off excess fat. Forget restrictive diets. You just need to lean toward eating healthy: plenty of fruit, veggies, fiber, and protein. Use carbs in moderation, even though they're important, and keep fats and sugars lower. I still treat myself to cake or ice cream whenever I feel like it. Regular exercise keeps my body healthy and my weight steady. Beyond that, staying fit actually helps your mental health, too. You should try exercising 😉

My buddy was sitting at nearly 400 pounds before he started using the slimming strips. How is a young guy that heavy even supposed to use an elliptical? Most gym equipment isn't built to handle that kind of weight. 😬

steelsailor8 said:My "diet" has been my way of life for years now. It basically boils down to doing an hour of cardio at the gym four times a week. Whether it's cycling, the stepper, or rowing... that’s really the secret. That’s only four hours a week, minimum, and I eat whatever I want. Of course, I don't overindulge after 7 or 8 PM. If I get hungry, I'll grab some fruit, a yogurt, or just load up on fresh lemonade or a nice tea. To me, that is the healthiest way to lose weight. I don't see why someone with a BMI over 40 couldn't use a stepper, a rower, or an elliptical. I didn't mention running because if you're carrying significant extra weight, running puts way too much stress on your joints, especially your knees. So, running is a "no," but everything else is on the table. Just cardio, though—don't even think about heavy weights! Plus, there's L-carnitine, which really kicks things into gear by boosting your metabolic rate; you'll end up soaked in sweat, which is great for burning off excess fat. Forget restrictive diets. You just need to lean toward eating healthy: plenty of fruit, veggies, fiber, and protein. Use carbs in moderation, even though they're important, and keep fats and sugars lower. I still treat myself to cake or ice cream whenever I feel like it. Regular exercise keeps my body healthy and my weight steady. Beyond that, staying fit actually helps your mental health, too. You should try exercising 😉

A BMI over 40 isn't just being "15 or 20 pounds overweight." It’s way more than that. 🙄
That’s like 110 to 130 pounds extra, depending on how tall you are. 😉

When doctors see people with high BMIs, they basically tell them to just walk, walk, and walk some more. It’s all about those endless miles. A buddy of mine actually dropped 80 pounds in a year just doing that—treadmill and walking. No intense workouts or crazy gym stuff. He used to trek from downtown all the way to the suburbs every single Saturday. Simple as that. 😉

steelsailor8 said:My "diet" has been my way of life for years now. It basically boils down to doing an hour of cardio at the gym four times a week. Whether it's cycling, the stepper, or rowing... that’s really the secret. That’s only four hours a week, minimum, and I eat whatever I want. Of course, I don't overindulge after 7 or 8 PM. If I get hungry, I'll grab some fruit, a yogurt, or just load up on fresh lemonade or a nice tea. To me, that is the healthiest way to lose weight. I don't see why someone with a BMI over 40 couldn't use a stepper, a rower, or an elliptical. I didn't mention running because if you're carrying significant extra weight, running puts way too much stress on your joints, especially your knees. So, running is a "no," but everything else is on the table. Just cardio, though—don't even think about heavy weights! Plus, there's L-carnitine, which really kicks things into gear by boosting your metabolic rate; you'll end up soaked in sweat, which is great for burning off excess fat. Forget restrictive diets. You just need to lean toward eating healthy: plenty of fruit, veggies, fiber, and protein. Use carbs in moderation, even though they're important, and keep fats and sugars lower. I still treat myself to cake or ice cream whenever I feel like it. Regular exercise keeps my body healthy and my weight steady. Beyond that, staying fit actually helps your mental health, too. You should try exercising 😉

I'm putting in the work. I hit the elliptical for an hour straight every single day without stopping. But hey, my BMI isn't sitting at 40 anymore. 😬

So, what exactly is BMI, and how do you actually figure it out?

😉

I ran the numbers, and apparently, 20.9 is the sweet spot.
Man, I’ve definitely got some extra weight around the midsection—my lower half is looking a little soft lately. Is it just working out, or what...?

Yeah, sure, working out. Throw in some heavy cream and you're golden. 😉

brightlynx11 said:Yeah, sure, working out. Throw in some heavy cream and you're golden. 😉

...Like what?

Give Dove a shot first. If that doesn't cut it, just go buy something more expensive. 😉

brightlynx11 said:😉

That BMI calculation isn't worth a thing. It tells me I'm ideal, but my BMI is 25.4...
If I wasn't being so lazy 😛 I'd show everyone exactly how much extra weight I'm actually carrying 🙂
...

Stop being lazy and the gut will disappear. 🤣

brightlynx11 said:Give Dove a shot first. If that doesn't cut it, just go buy something more expensive. 😉

I was just wondering—what kind of creams are we talking about here? Like, specifically for skin tightening, or is there some other type meant for this issue? Right now I’m just using baby oil, so I'm totally in the dark...

Thomas Ortiz10 said:I was just wondering—what kind of creams are we talking about here? Like, specifically for skin tightening, or is there some other type meant for this issue? Right now I’m just using baby oil, so I'm totally in the dark...

I actually thought of you yesterday while I was working out on the elliptical (honestly, parents can be such nightmares sometimes, always breaking the equipment in our gym!)

So, here's the deal 😁
one of my old coworkers managed to fix up her postpartum belly and those cellulite thighs using a super "simple" 😬 method
Every single night, she would take those areas (which were definitely... let's call them "soft and jiggly"—if you want me to be polite 😁 ) and slather them in a basic cream, like that classic blue Nivea tin. Then, she'd wrap herself tightly in clear plastic kitchen wrap, pull on some leggings, throw something thick over that, and run around on the elliptical for about thirty minutes, all sweaty and bundled up
The results were honestly amazing
So, if you're feeling motivated... go for it! 😁
You've got the recipe now

jadesailor14 said:I actually thought of you yesterday while I was working out on the elliptical (honestly, parents can be such nightmares sometimes, always breaking the equipment in our gym!)

So, here's the deal 😁
one of my old coworkers managed to fix up her postpartum belly and those cellulite thighs using a super "simple" 😬 method
Every single night, she would take those areas (which were definitely... let's call them "soft and jiggly"—if you want me to be polite 😁 ) and slather them in a basic cream, like that classic blue Nivea tin. Then, she'd wrap herself tightly in clear plastic kitchen wrap, pull on some leggings, throw something thick over that, and run around on the elliptical for about thirty minutes, all sweaty and bundled up
The results were honestly amazing
So, if you're feeling motivated... go for it! 😁
You've got the recipe now

Wait, was her elevator broken too?

😁