My version of the bandster quiz...

So, there was the “get-to-know-me, A-Z” thing going around on a lot of blogs… I want to know my bandster friends a bit better in the bandster-realm, so I’ll see whether I can go viral or not and start my own “quiz”!!! I think this would be really helpful for all our soon-to-be-banded friends out there, and for each other!!!

1. How long have you been banded? Almost 9 months
2. What was your highest pre-band weight? / Current weight now? / Total lost to date? 283lbs (pre-pregnancy, 302 the day I had Lucia) / 215.2 lbs / 62.3 lbs & change
3. What is your best "go-to" food to get in your protein? Hmmm... probably Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese
4. What is your favorite protein brand/shake? Haven't found one I love, but I can do the Slim-Fast high-protein shakes without too much trouble ( i really like the cappucino one, but it is only 10g).
5. What food do you miss the most now being post-band? Bread. BREAD! BREAD! BREAD! (sigh)
6. What is your favorite "mushy" food? Mixing mashed potatoes and cottage cheese together. Or cottage cheese and a hard-boiled egg. Or, mixing the following... 1/4 cup ricotta, 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese and parmesean and nuking until hot... YUM! Pizza without the dough!
7. What was your worst PB experience? Probably trying to eat a burger with friends here... PB'd about 5 times over 20 minutes. Awful. Thankfully, they kept on drinking and ignoring me.
8. What has been the hardest part of this journey so far for you? The emotional trip has been far harder than the physical one... starting to be honest with myself about why I allowed myself to get to the point I was... still a hard and long journey, but one I'm finally willing to go on!
9. What is your best NSV to date? Being able to shop in a "normal" size section... wherever it is... fitting in just normal Large or XL shirts... amazing! And, for the first time in the 10 plus years I've known him, weighing less than my hubby... (big grin!)
10. What is your top non-weight goal for your band? (top NSV maybe?) Hmmm.... having the self confidence to ride a roller-coaster and stop thinking of myself as the fat girl. Not sure hitting goal weight will get me there - hope so though!
11. What is your goal weight or size? Not sure on the weight - I'll know it when I feel it. Size, maybe 10 or 12?
12. What band "rule" do you live by (i.e. don't cheat on)? I don't drink soda at all. I think I've had the equivalent of about 1 can of diet coke since January... and only when I am desperate to burp.
13. What band "rule" do you not follow as much or aren't so good at? I am awful at measuring my food. AWFUL. TERRIBLE. Get the picture? Don't follow my lead here... really need to be better, b/c my "eyeball" measuring isn't a good thing.
14. What is your goal "reward"? Wow... not sure - never thought I'd say it, but maybe plastic surgery? To get rid of the chicken wings...? Thankfully, I have a great connection here... Or maybe a nice new bauble... Or both??? :-) Definitely a trip with some shopping involved... either a cruise for duty free or a trip to NYC and hit some "fancy" stores!
15. In the spirit of Thanksgiving being right around the corner (US), what are you most thankful for, post-band? That I now recognize what a "normal" serving should be. That I am healthy enough to know that I'll be alive for a while. That I'm being a good role model for Lucia. That I am finally proud of myself! I could go on and on... there is a LOT to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!!

I would love to know if you respond... let me know if you do it in your blog so I can make sure to see what you had to say!!!

PS - don't forget to let me know what you think about my sassy shoes (and purse) - last post - for the dress I'm wearing to the wedding! And I promise to post pictures... but that is over 3 weeks worth of posts away!