ARE YOU ON A DIET...OR NOT?

One of my biggest issues with the band so far is figuring out whether I am dieting or not. The band takes care of portion control....when you are properly restricted...but am I dieting? I know its a lifestyle change and no certain food is off limits, but...but...the people on here who are successful at losing seem to limit bad food intake and exercise...I call that a diet...but not in a bad way. Are you dieting? Are you losing? Do you read the meal posts they sound like people are dieting....

After eschewing dieting for many months, I finally realized that if I wanted to get the rest of this weight off in a healthy way, I was going to have to plan.  So I am doing WW because it is the ONLY diet on which I lose and lose steadily, feel great, and enjoy the food plan.  With WW I can have literally anything I want, as long as I plan for it.  So, I don't feel as restricted as I might with some diet plans, such as Atkins (and I don't lose well on that one anyway)! 

I've thought a lot about this.  I find that I just eat foods in smaller portions than I did, although I've cut out deserts and bread (my band despises white bread).  I guess you are dieting if you are eating smaller portions, but am I actually counting every calorie that goes in my mouth...no I'm not.  I guess I march to the beat of a different drummer.  I don't plan meals out because I'm by myself (I know not a very good excuse but it works for me).  I decide at the last minute what I'm going to eat...and I find I eat a lot less of whatever it is.  I do try to get my protein in first if that counts for anything.... Dee

I admit that I am dieting. I guess its similar to Adkins, though I have never read the book or anything. I don't know how, but I have been pretty faithful to it since the day of surgery.

That's why I seldom post what I eat.  I don't need Food Nazi's giving me grief, and I don't want somebody who has figured out that they need to diet to look at what I do and freak out. I do NOT diet. I "Lifestyle Modify". So far the ONLY food I have completely eliminated are Butterfingers: 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/act ion,replies/board_id,5359/cat_id,4959/topic_id,3211456/  but as far as "Dieting" which, to me, includes calorie counting, grams of protein, carbs, fats, etc. NO WAY! NONE of my naturally skinny friends "Diet", they just eat normal amounts of food and they stop when thay are full!

My problem with eating whatever I want just less of it is that I LITERALLY eat whatever I want!  And I am not one of those people who steer toward healthy foods.  I don't want fruit, low-fat, lean meats....I want cheeseburgers, bacon, buttery pancakes, baked potatoes fully loaded, Cheetos, sodas, sundaes, etc.  I was upset that my bp had gone up a bit...and I think it was the crap I was eating.  IF I could eat less and eat in a healthy way, I'd do it.  But that's the one thing I've learned about myself, if not given guidelines, I will push and test the limits and indulge in the wrong things more often than not.

That is so totally me! I havent been setting any guidelines for myself and just grabbing crap food..but in smaller portions.....My husband noticed my energy level has gone down lately....and of course I am not losing....I gained 4lbs over vacation. (vacations are a different animal) but MAN! Spring is around the corner and I am tired of saying I have lost 30lbs in 4months....most on the pre op diet. I have 70 left and I refuse to not do it!

I hear ya, Bridget! I have it WAY easier than most of the posters here because of who I am and what I view as acceptable goals for me. My temporary goal weight is anything LESS than 250 pounds.  That exceeds many people's STARTING weight! I'm a BIG guy!  HUGE!  MASSIVE!  ALWAYS WILL BE! At 6'2 inches tall, with a 7 7/8 hat size and 11-inch wrist, I am MASSIVE in my build. My SHOE size is 12EEEEEE (Special order ONLY!) My WEDDING RING is a man's size 16!!! NOTHING fits me! One-size-fits-all is a LIE in my world. I have already LOST more pounds than most people, and I STILL HAVE more pounds to lose than most people do when they START! It is VERY MUCH a DIFFERENT WORLD for a huge male that started as a super-morbidly obese person. My BMR is GIGANTIC! I GET AWAY WITH STUFF THAT WOULD DESTROY MOST PEOPLE'S EFFORTS ON THE LAP-BAND! All-in-all, I am exceedingly HAPPY that I don't have the challenges that a petite woman has in this. I don't think I could do it. Take a GOOD LOOK at this photograph! That doorway is 30 inches wide by 80 inches tall, and my butt is pressed right up against it! This is why I tell everybody: "YOU MUST DO, WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!" Because, frankly, if most people do what *I* do, they would be GAINING 3 POUNDS A WEEK!

Wendell: If your skeleton by itself weighs 168lbs....then you are definitely in a league of your own!

Wendell - Hope I have not made you feel that way. I only respond when asked and don't think my way is the only way.