SNACK ATTACK IS TAKING OVER!!!

OMG!!!! I AM 11 MTHS OUT AND HAVE LOST 108 LBS...I AM PROUD OF THAT...BUT....THE SNACK ATTACK IS BACK! I HAVE NOT LOST ANYTHING IN 1 1/2 MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN SNACKING LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I DID NOT GO THROUGH SURGERY TO GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY AND START GAINING WEIGHT. I REALIZE THAT THE SURGERY IS JUST A TOOL...I GOT ON THE SCALES THIS MORNING AND OH NO....I HAD GAINED 2 POUNDS!!! I HAVE DECIDED THAT TODAY IS THE DAY THAT I NEED TO GET A GRIP ON THE SITUATION. I AM GOING TO START WRITING DOWN EVERYTHING I EAT AND KEEP A TOTAL OF THE CALORIES I CONSUME A DAY. MAYBE THAT WILL HELP ME NOT TO SNACK SO MUCH. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? WHAT CALORIE TOTAL DO I NEED TO STAY UNDER TO LOSE WEIGHT AND NOT GAIN?

I am there too However I try to limit my snacks. Of course on the other hand, I have friends and my doctor saying...do not loose anymore weight. I am so afraid that I will start gaining it back. One thing I do is not have really "bad" snacks in my house (except for Valentine candy) and that is almost gone. I try to snack on popcorn at night or low fat animal crackers or pretzels. I also realized my breakfast was not holding me during the mornings so I changed my breakfast to help that as well.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? I HAVE OATMEAL. THAT SHOULD BE OK SHOULDN'T IT?

Delilah, 800-1100 calories per day and most of that from protein will help jump start your weight loss. Carbs are still our enemy and you should log those into a journal or Fitday.com to keep their number down. I get most of my protein from shakes, 4 per day, there's no way I could eat 100 grams of protein per day and find time to have a life. Hope this helps!! Va

HOW MANY CARBS ARE OK?

Carbs don't like me...so I keep my around 50 to 60 grams per day. No white potatoes, no pasta, no rice, no white bread, no saltines...you get my point. I shoot for Multi-grain everything!! If it doesn't have seeds of some sort in it I leave it at the store!! Sara Lee has some great low carb breads now...I love their Multi grain Low Carb Bread. Green veggies and other complex carbs, fruit seem to be OK...it's just the white stuff that makes me dump. I noticed in your response to Martha's post that you eat oatmeal for breakfast. What kind of Oatmeal are you using? Quaker Instant Oatmeal has very little protein in it 4.5 grams vs 32 grams of carbs. You may be doing yourself a disservice if that's what your using. My hubby loves it and I ocassionally fix it but it makes me dump everytime. Protein first should still be our main focus in everymeal...this is forever... ...climbing down off of soap box..... Va

I HAVE BEEN EATING THE INSTANT OATMEAL (QUAKER) WITHOUT NOTICING THE CARBS IN IT!!!OUCH!!! THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!

Va, Can you give us an example of what you eat in a day, along with the protein shakes. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on things, but am curious to see how you get in 4 shakes and food. I have to admit I am not usually very hungry at anytime during the day and when I have snacked or gone over board when I look back at it, it has usually been habit, boredom or stupidity. I mix up a 1 1/2 serving of protein powder each day and drink that first thing inthe morning. Also do you measure your food or just go by sight and feel? I chart all my food on fitday, but I am guilty of not measuring everything and just guessing it out. Maybe I will have to be more dilagent with measuring. I also do not eat any potatoes, bread (not white or whole grain), rice, pasta (I can get away with one bite), saltines, cereal, etc. They dont make me dump as much as they get stuck really bad. I can eat whole grain crackers though. Thanks for your expertise!!! I hope you are continuing to feel good post TT. Janelle

Janelle, I'm in the minority here but as I've said before I really don't 'focus' my intake on food. I eat only to maintain my blood sugar which has been very low since I hit goal. Here's an example of my 'normal' day's intake. Pre-B: Protein Shake (25 grams protein each)* Breakfast: Protein Bar/1/2 Peanut Butter sandwich Lunch: 3-4 ounces of meat -tuna, brisket, ham maybe a couple of crackers or slice of bread. Mid Afternoon: Protein Shake* Dinner: 2-3 ounces of meat, bite or two of veggies Snack: protein bar/cheddar cheese/nuts or Low Carb cereal 10:00 pm: Protein Shake* Midnight: Protein Shake* That's a 'normal' day for me. Plus I take vitamins and supplements 2 times each day with one of my protein shake - Calcium Citrate Flaxseed Oil Mega Multivitamin Magnesium Oxide Bromelain Biotin Beta Carotene Iron (Rx) This has pretty much been my menu for about the last 8 months. I upped my protein shakes from three to four a day in preparation for my surgery. I've experimented with cutting back on the protein shakes and upping my food but that only makes me sick. So I stick to what has proven to be 'safe'. Food is no longer a focus in my life. I actually crave protein shakes now...weird I know...I hope this makes sense. Va

Hi Delilah, You have done an awesome job. I have read on previous post ops who are 2 and 3 years, that sometimes have to go back to Pouch Rules for Dummies website to get back into the swing of things. I had the same problem and used that information and was very helpful. It's like someone took a cold glass of what and threw it on my fast. I will keep you in my prayers. Hope this will be helpful. JanetN http://www.wlsfriends.com/pouchrules.html