How much food are you eating?

Hi All How much food are you all eating? Are you still losing weight? I can eat so much more than I could before that I want to be sure I am not overdoing it? Any thoughts? Thanks for your help. -Michelle

I can eat a lot more than I thought I would be able to. I ate all the meat and almost all of the bottom bun on an Arby's beef and cheddar. 4 months ago. I could only eat most of the meat and then was hurting. I can eat 2 kyrstals, bun and all. I am maintaining my weight. I go up 3lbs in a given 2 to 3 wks, and then back down 5lbs. I suspect I'm here at this weight until I have my surgery and get into a good exercise routine. I know I'll get these last few lbs. I'll just have to do it the old fashion way. Move more and eat less or more wisely. Deb

What I can eat often varies from day to day. Generally, I can eat anything and in fairly normal sized portions...at least they seem normal to me, but I think they're still significantly smaller than most people would select. A whopper Jr. will fill me up for lunch (and frequently I don't finish all of the bun) or I like 1/2 of a 6" Subway double meat Club sandwich (again...I throw away alot of the bread...it's just too much). If I'm eating solid protein like steak, I can eat 4-6 oz and little else. Soft, carby foods like pasta, chilli, etc. I can eat more so I have to watch it. Ice cream makes me sick and I had another episode with chicken last night. darn! I love chicken, but if I'm not EXTREMELY careful to chew, chew, chew...I'll be in terrible pain praying for the vomiting that I know will start within 30 minutes...Then, I'm fine again. I'm struggling against grazing and it's worse of the weekends when I'm at home. I've held steady at the same weight for over 3 months now, and it's the same weight I was at age 20, so I'm thinking this is just my body's natural weight. It looks good and it feels good so I'm not worrying about losing anymore. I'm sure you're doing great! Julie

Here's an example of my day: Breakfast: 1/2 protein bar (UTurn) small banana or some type of fruit Lunch: protein (2 or 3 oz I think) Dinner: protein (2 or 3 oz I think) few bites of salad or veggies Snacks: nuts (almonds or cashews) cheese (1 oz serving) Healthy Choice Ice Cream bar (don't eat these all in one day, just giving examples) If I order a 6 inch Subway turkey sandwich, I can only eat 1/2 of it. If I order a boca burger (veggie burger) I can barely eat half. A cooked breakfast might be an egg with a little cheese and 1/2 an English muffin. Some days I can eat more than others. I think the density of the food makes a huge difference. For example a Boca Burger sandwich is much more filling than a cheese sandwich. Mary

Hi, Michelle.... I too feel like I'm eating way more than I should. I can hold anywhere from 8 to 10 ounces at a time, depending on what I'm eating. I can down an 8 ounce protein shake in about 5 minutes and not feel full at all now. I really have to watch what I eat now, because I'm so scared I'm going to start putting weight back on. I'm not losing weight any more and feel its because I can eat so much. I try to remember that the amount I eat is no where near what I was eating before surgery, but it sure feels like it at times! I guess as long as I'm not putting any weight back on, I'm doing okay. I'd like to lose 25 more pounds. I've upped my exercising and water intake. Hoping it helps. Wanda

Hey all! It's been forever since I've posted and I figured this would be a good one for me to respond to! I still eat very little at one meal. Part of it is my monitoring it and limiting it, but mostly because my stomach tells me that I'm full. I've upped my exercise pretty drastically now that the weather's finally warmed up here, I walk/run at least 4 miles 4-5 days a week or more, plus I"m doing sit ups/crunchs and ab work. My weight loss at this point is hovering around 175 pounds, like many of you, I had been gaining and losing the same 2-3 pounds. Although, I've just dropped about 6 pounds over the last week, and I'm thrilled! Here's my general menu for any given day: Breakfast: water, coffee and either a protein shake or protein bar (over the course of 2-3 hours) Snack: (If I have one) is some dry whole grain cereal that I pick at throughout the day. I fill up one of the 'snack' size ziploc bags and have that as my snack for the day. Currently I really like Cheerios and Tiger power! Lunch: One of the following: Yogurt, cottage cheese with sunflower seeds; soup; or maybe some left overs from the day before. A protein bar or shake in a pinch. Dinner: Beef/chicken/pork/etc; a side of either vegetable or pasta/rice, etc. I don't measure out my meat/protein, but take a small portion and eat what I can in my 20-30 minutes while alternating between the protein/veggies/carb. Snack: Whole grain dry cereal, maybe with some craisins or nuts added in (again the snack size bag). I get in a minimum of 70 ounces of water/non-caffeinated beverages a day and I have yet to have carbonated beverages. I do occasionally indulge in a few bites of my sweetie's ice cream or allow myself to have a piece of this DELICIOUS sugar free chocolate that I have found at the grocery store here. But for the most part, I really don't have an appetite. When I do want to snack, I have found that the whole grain snacks work better for me and I love the snack size bags. They really help me keep in perspective the quantity that I am eating. About the only food I can't eat right now is tuna, regardless of how I prepare it, I am miserable afterward, but everything else is fine. I don't eat a lot of sugars, but also don't deny myself altogether. I'm wearing a size 12 pants right now and a medium or large top, depending on the style/manufacturer and I couldn't be happier! I'd like to lose another 30 pounds or so, although I dont' know how realistic that is, I've been maintaining my weight without really trying that I don't know how much more I can lose. I've got a TON of loose/saggy skin on my arms, legs and belly, so I don't know how much weight that accounts for. While the scale hasn't changed as much as I'd like it to, my body is toning, my clothes are fitting differently and the veins in my forearms are now protruding and it looks wild, who knew this could happen to me! I go back to the doctor's in August and if my weight is still not fluctuating much, I'm going to ask for a referral for a consult with the plastic surgeon's that they work with. I'm hopeful that my insurance will cover some of it, although I'm also able to switch to a health care plan that I've heard covers the plastic/reconstructive surgery more readily. UPMC is an option through my employer, so I may look into it during open enrollment! It'd be well worth the hassle of changing if they'll approve it! Take care! Michelle

Michelle, I am not sure if I am eating too much either. I do allow myself too much junk food here lately. Normally for breakfast I have wither a Qsmart bar or a carb-well breakfast bar with a cup of coffee. That is the only caffeine I allow myself and it is limited to 1 cup a day. For snack I might have a piece of fruit or 1/2 pack of cheese & crackers (depends on what is in the cabinet at work) For lunch I eat a small chef salad-eating the meat, cheese and boiled egg first or I might just eat a few slices of cheese and reduced sodium deli ham. For dinner it is usually steak or chicken.(I can eat a chicken thigh.) with vege's and side dish. For a snack I have sugar-free ice cream of some sort or cantalope and strawberries. I am not loosing any more weight. I bounce between 151-156. I often have what I call "HUNGARY" days where no matter what I eat just doesn't fill me up. But the next day or two I am not hungary at all. A friend who has had the surgery says she does the same thing. Except she eats the healthy food and right now I am addicted to Funyeon ring chips. I was eating a big bag a day, but now I have limited myself to one a week. I still do not eat deep fried foods. I still do not drink soda or anything with sugar. I use splenda. I have discovered SUGAR-FREE ORANGEADE from tropicana. It is good. I allow myself 1 glass a day. MY THOUGHTS--- DO NOT FALL OFF THE WAGON LIKE I HAVE AND IF YOU DO PICK YOURSELF BACK UP AND START OVER. TODAY IS A NEW DAY!!!