Tool, your small stomach and if you still dump.  The old term to go back to basics in a way.  Small meals with no sugar and low fat.  High protein foods.  Count your calories at the start of the day.  I plan myt days food or at least have an idea of what I can eat for the day as far as calories go.  I am able to keep a running count in my head now, but if you need to, write it down.  I stay around 1000 calories a day still.

There are tricks too.  If you like peanut butter, still eat it, but just put enough on the bread for taste and then add non fat cream cheese, same texture, only 35 calories per serving.  Use the 45 calorie bread from Saralee.  If you want a treat, make sugar free cakes in the very small muffin tins.  Freeze them and take out one a day as your treat.

You might have to go hungry at first, your stomach can stretch out over time, but it can also get smaller too.  

Oh and potatoes are your friends!  A baked potato with "I can't believe it's not butter" spray, you can put as much as you want on it and it adds no calories.  Or use non or low fat cottage cheese.  Or you can get Wendy's chili and put that on it too.  It will keep you full for a long time.

Watch drinking calories.  I drink only diet 7up and coffee with splenda a little cream.  I also get the no sugar added chocolate powder from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf shop.  I don't usually drink protein drinks, although I have been adding a little of the Muscle Milk lite powder to my coffee lately, had some problems with hairloss and am hoping it will help.  But I add it to my calorie count.

I also have to make sure I only put what I should eat on my plate and not rely on my stomach to tell me to stop eating.  If I don't pay attention, I eat too much and either get sick or stretch my stomach out, which I did over the holidays some how.  Now I am working on that, which means I am hungry right now and am waiting to eat for awhile.  Sucks but will pay off in a few days.

I hope this helps.
Thanks everyone!

I really still feel so much at home here, hope we hear from all of our old buds..


Tori

Tiff,

So nice to see you post. I am sure you will get that vitamin thing under control.  I have been good with my vitamins from the beginning however it did not help me enough I have issues with very low iron, even had to have a blood transfusion last November but am on a new iron three times a day now it seems to be helping. I think my lows may have also been atributed to my many plastic surgeries in the last five years. I have been doing great with my weight at my lowest now 109 my Dr would like to see me get it up a little but I am feelng good where I am at. I really need to concentrate on excercise though.

Life is well these days, I did got divorced this last year after 25 years but am doing better in my life than I ever have.

HAVE A GREAT DAY

TORI
 

 Happy pre 5 year surgiversary to you!  Hope you post an update on how you are doing....look forward to hearing how you are.  HUGS

 Hello all.....looking back over the last 5+ years since I decided to make this change in life is pretty amazing.  Today is my 5 year surgiversary and I have no regrets but there are changes in my life that I continually need to focus on and manage.

I got out of the vitamin routine 3 years ago and am now severely struggling with deficencies.  It became obvious as I continually had trembling and after some blood tests my levels with B, iron and other minerals were at super low points.  I am now taking about 40 pills a day to mega dose and get back to normal levels which they say will take about 6-8 months.  

About 3 years ago I also stepped away from protein shakes which I also resumed a few months ago, I found myself hungry all the time and could not eat what I needed to so one of the shakes every few days helps me get what I need.  I am up 20 lbs from my lowest and this also helps keep my energy high.

I eat no sugar at all, no interest, no taste for it.  Psychologically, I miss ice cream but never have any.  It is one of those 'retraining the brain' things.  Alcohol is sometimes a problem for me and I struggle with that.  Empty calories.  Also got out of the exercise routine which I am making one of my top priorities.

Have been doing project work for 2 years since I lost my job.  Enjoyed the slower pace of life and am just about to start a new 'real' job that will get me back doing what I love.  

Still have not met the romance of my life but I am sure it will come eventually.......

If you are on facebook I'd love to connect and keep in touch there.

You are all very special and I often think of the amazing network of people I met going through this process.  I wish you well, health and happiness.

<>

T