Reality Check

I too want to say, thank you for this post. I have been concerned about some of the things I have read that people are eating. Not that even of us are perfect or that we all haven't at one point maybe tried something we shouldn't have. But it is always I good idea to have someone remind of us of why we are here in the first place. And of course, no body is asking anyone not to be honest. We all need to be able to express what we are going through. That is why we all come back here to see if someone is going through the same thing we are. And we find comfort in the fact that we are not alone out there. We all need the support, especially in these first few months. But I think Sharra is just saying be careful with your choices. None of us want to go back to where we were before the surgery. I wish everyone the best and I am so thankful for this board.

Thank Goodness you said something! I have been thinking the same thing for a while. I have a really hard time reading posts on this board because many people are talking about pizza, chips, icecream etc... and these are foods I am avoiding. My surgeon has said that it's ok to "cheat" 2 times a week (= 10% of the time), but understand that these first 6 months should be taken seriously becasue this is when we are forming our new habits. Also, because we can only eat a small amount of food at a time so it's important that the foods we do eat are nutritionally dense. I always try to remember to eat 75% protien and 25% complex carbs at every meal. Honestly I'm shocked that some of you can eat pizza or other junk food, just the thought of it makes my pouch angry. I understand the need for eating out or eating fast food, but you can do that and still make good choices. You can go to Wendy's and get a small cup of Chili or a grilled chicken sandwhich and only eat the chicken and tomatoe. I love going to Chipotle and getting a bowl with black beans, pork, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. I can only eat a few bites, but I know I'm getting protein and complex carbs. I hope I'm not going to get flamed for this post, it's not my intention to put anyone down...just my perspective. Morgan

I think everyone's path is going to be different, and folks are going to eat all kinds of different things, but for me, I know I have to assume I dump on sugar, so I won't even try anything over 6-7 grams per serving. I was really shocked to hear a friend, just 2 years out, oh, i ate some ice cream it was great. I thought, well, that' s why you haven't gotten to your goal yet, and hey, it's your life. I am suffering through the protein, and can barely eat 1/4 cup of food per meal, and while I did taste the topping off a pizza (one pepperoni - ick, too greasy) and some of the cheese, tasty but not worth it, I haven't tried any breads or crackers, which I really want. I think...no, i KNOW that once I start down that slippery slope, I'm done for. I did try the Taco Bell pintos and they were okay, it's good to know it's there if I need it, and I found a KFC thigh (skin removed, patted dry) was the only chicken moist enough for me to eat without yacking it up. Chicken is evil for me. I like knowing those fast food options are there, because the reality is, some days it's going to be fast food or no food at all, and I'd rather have some sensible choices that work for me. I'm not saying I'm perfect, or to be perfect, just to be human. And I appreciate these posts getting the focus back on how to eat, not what I can get away with eating without getting sick. I hope that made sense Inky

Sharra, you're right, we're food addicts and we don't always make the right choices. But, I really hope our "A Team" board doesn't become like the OH main board, with judgemental postings about others' behavior. We're all learning this together, more or less at the same time, and we're learning what we can and can't tolerate. Yes, I stupidly tried to eat an egg mcmuffin the other day, and paid for it by getting sick, but I liked knowing that I could post that experience as a confession/warning to others without fear of being flamed or judged. The fact is, we will make mistakes, some of us more than others. You ask why some of us would try to eat those foods again that made us fat in the first place. In my opinion, it's because some of us have a lifetime of bad habits and an overwhelming urge to test things out, not to mention those crazy cravings that we used to indulge. Changing one's behavior isn't necessarily done overnight. Some of us are stronger, like you, and able to follow the plan to the letter without any slip-ups. Others of us, like me, aren't quite as strong and might take longer to change our behavior. I am currently in therapy to work this out. I know that my episodes of trying out junk food and getting sick are getting farther and farther apart. Each time something doesn't sit well with me, I am able to remember it a little longer than last time. The practice of mindful eating is taking a long time to sink in for me. This tool that I was given luckily reminds me of how to eat whenever I mess up. Hopefully I'll eventually remember how to eat for good; in the meantime, I'm sure I'll make mistakes again, but hopefully fewer and fewer. Thanks, Lisa

Lisa, Thank you so much for saying what i was thinking!! I come to this board for support and dont want to be judged. The reason I had WLS was because I was not strong enough to make wise desicions when it comes to food. If I was, I would have lost the weight on my own and not had major surgery..... This "tool" is helping me have more control over what I eat. That is the reason I chose RNY over lap band. I knew after doing research that i was not strong enough to always eat healthy. I know eating a slice of pizza once in a while is not going to cause me to fail. But i know if i eat something too greasy or something that contains too much sugar i will get sick, this is what keeps me in line. And if someone posts and asks what im eating im going to be honest. Michelle