Confession?

I don't know if I am flirting with disaster or if I am in control. Please don't flame me, but be honest! First, I did not have as much to lose as many of you, so this may have some impact on my reactions (physical or mental!) I have lost 75 lbs and I am happy at my current weight (size 8). I am careful to weigh often to make sure that I am not gaining. I don't care if I lose more. So far, my weight has been stable for the last 4 months. My blood work looks good from a nutritional standpoint and I feel good. BUT here is what I might eat on a "typical" day: Breakfast: 8 oz skim milk with unjury shake and vitamins (I am very consistant about this) Morning: 32 oz decaf coffee Lunch: small cheeseburger with small order fries or personal pan pizza or 6" subway sandwich or 2 tacos or chef salad (You get the idea--a normal person lunch) afternoon snack: big cookie or (on a good day) protein bar with diet dr pepper dinner: 3 oz cheese with crackers bedtime snack: 1/2 bag microwave popcorn Now, this is not nearly as much as I used to eat, but it is sure more than most of you all are eating. I'm not much of a veggie eater. I tend to stay on the edge of carb dumping (frequent hot flashes, but very rarely ). Finally the question... As long as I monitor my weight and nutrition, am I OK? Or is this much eating going to inevitably cause me to gain over time? I alternate between feeling lucky and feeling panic. Sorry this is so long. Maybe I should have had surgery on my head instead of my stomach... Thanks for your support, even though I am a nut case... Joy

Joy, Good to hear from you again... Have you computed how many calories this is a day?? Your lunch is your "Big" meal obviously, but what's the daily average caloric intake? I really don't think you're over-eating, maybe under-feeding yourself but over??? I'm pretty sure we are supposed to be getting about 1000 calories per day. Va

Joy, No flaming from this corner of the universe. I have two thoughts (one for each of my personalities). Don't know how much protein is in your shake and protein bar, but you may not be getting enough protein. I also don't see any roughage and that's essential for a healthy colon. I'm especially aware of colon issues because I've had cancerous polyps removed and my sister had her whole colon removed. My second thought is.... What the hell. If you're not gaining, feel good, your labs are good and you're happy, keep doing exactly what you're doing. Just keep an eye on the scales and your labs. See... I'm no help at all. Connie

Joy, You are getting in your protein and your milk and your vitamins consistently and that is very very good! Protein Bars are good milk is good...meat is good (albeit a little fatty at times ) but some fat is good!!! If you can handle the bread just use in moderation. Try not to get into the bread habit. cheese and crakers are fine (IMHO) Chef salad.... there are your veggies and protein sounds good Protein bar ... good! Cookie? Hey sounds good because we cannot always deprive ourselves...if you crave something terrible have a small portion of what you are craving That way you dont overeat on something you dont want. I am learning myself to only eat tiny portions of the good stuff. I had a tiny piece of a brownie last night and although I wanted to devour the whole dag on thing I resisted! If you can control yourself and have a normal size and not go overboard then thats wonderful! If you can pull that off and maintain that is what we are all striving for and way to go Congrats on being normal!!!!! Popcorn... this is a baddie for me because I can really devour popcorn... its my... "gateway drug" so to speak Same with my pumpkin seeds... that is definitely my "gateway drug" I eat that and graze on it too long and my old habits creep up. We are all so different. If what you are doing is working for you and you dont feel out of control and you are maintaining that is absolutely wonderful and you should be commended. If your labs are great and everything is going well... thats what we are all striving for! Hang in there you seem to be doing well to me Try to sneek in an extra serving of fruit and veggies. I will have little broccoli spears and dip them in ranch dressing and snack on grapes I have been trying to replace the snacky carby stuff with the good stuff. Its hard, but old habits are hard to break. ((hugs)) Elizabeth M

Your weight is good and stable. Your labs are good and stable. I think you're doing fine. I eat regular food, nothing special and am doing well. I too have sugar flashes---no real dumping. I weigh daily and if I go up 2-3 pounds I cut back for a couple of days and lose it. We started out pretty much the same weight, but I lost 30 pounds more than I anticipated. I actually lost 101 pounds and never thought that was possible. Louise

Hey Joy..... No flaming going on here!!! We're here to help not flame! I agree with Connie that a bit more fiber might be in order for the sake of the old colon. I have a history of colon cancer in my family, so I'm a regular on the "Colonoscopy circuit" myself. Other than that, if your lab work looks good and you feel good and are maintaining your weight, why fight it?? I say go with what works for you!!! Mike

Thanks. I guess I'm a cynic at heart. You know... if it sounds too good to be true, it IS too good to be true. I usually don't borrow trouble, but I seem to be able to "get by" with more than some and it scares me a bit. As long as it continues like this though, I am totally thrilled! It is interesting that my focus has changed from a "NONO" list of foods to a "MAKE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH OF THIS" list! I'm still a stress eater, and stress days are really hard. I end up eating wrong and feeling that carb-yuck. (Thank God for that guard rail!) Thanks for understanding! Life changes are SO hard! Joy

Joy, When I officially decide I'm going into maintenance mode, I plan to have a a consult with a good nutritionist or dietician (preferably one who's WLS knowledgable). I think that will give me the best peace of mind. I'm going to keep a food and excercise diary for a few weeks before hand so that we can review my cals in/out but also so that we can evaluate my food choices to see where I can make improvements to get more nutrition (vitamins, fiber, etc.) for the calories. Best of luck to you, jen

No flames from Central Indiana, either, Joy. Have you tried journaling what you eat/drink on a daily basis on a free site such as fitday.com? That will help you see how much you're taking in as far as calories, carbs, fat grams, and protein. I used to use that site every day, but now I only journal when I think I need to do a reality check. HTH, and take care! Hugs, -Marcie