what are you guys eating?

I have been reading everyone's posts and you all are doing fantastic. I need to get an idea of what you guys are eating daily. I had my surgery on the 15th of June and I think I have only lost about 41-43 lbs. I mean, I am happy with that and know that I have lost inches but it just seems that everyone is losing faster than me. I started working out about 4 weeks ago, going 4-5 times a week, I am trying to burn at least 200 calories each time by cardio and am then working with weight resistant machines the rest of the time. I am probably a little short on the water daily or right at about 64 oz. each day. I drink an Isopure protein drink with 40 grams of protein each day and try to get in another 20 - 25 grams, some day I am better at it than others. My opening has been really tight and my surgeon feels like I might have a small ulcer so I have been on Prevacid since my 2nd week after surgery. I have never thrown up but quit eating before I get sick. Most meat, other than fish, has been hard to get down. Just wondered what everyone else was eating so that I could compare. I am afraid that my surgeon will be mad at me if I at least don't hit the 50 pound mark by the 3rd month. I was not going to get all hung up on numbers because I know that my clothes are geting lose or would fall off if it weren't for my lower tummy. I started out in a size 26-28 pants and am now wearing a size 22. I just worry because my surgeon is a little strict about losing and wants me to get a little lower than goal so that I will have a few pounds to "play " with. I ahve never been a fast loser but I am beginning to get worried.

We all lose at a different rate. I think you are doing great. I have read some post where they have only lost like 23 to 30 pounds in 3 months. Some like Lisa are faster losers. I am not. I was 288 on surgery day and now am 235 so I have lost 53 pounds in 12 weeks. I am happy about it but seems slow compared to others. I use to wear a 26-28 now into 18's and some 16's. I walk 3-4 miles a day and use a stair stepper 3 times a week and ride bikes 3 days a week so I think I have lost more in inches than pounds. Gaining muscle. Don't get discouraged we all get there in time it just some of use take longer than others. You seem to be right in line with what I lost about the 10-11th week. Your surgery was just 6 days after mine. I can still hardly get in 600-700 calories a day but I do get the 65g of protein. I make sure of that. Keep your chin up you are doing better that you think. Congratulations on being a loser!!!! Deloris 309/288/235/135

You are doing great! I had my surgery June 23 and am down 50 pounds. I have been unable to excercise regularily due to some complications I had after my surgery but I do try to walk at least 3 times a week to build up my stamina. I am still having a hard time getting much food in, everything (aside from soup) seems to make me feel sick. Water is the hardest for me, If you can drink 64 oz of water a day and eat your protein, you are doing good. I cant wait until I can actually enjoy a cup of water. Don't be discouraged........it'll come off. DebbieDavis

Hi Gina, Your weightloss is great. Please, don't get hung up on the numbers. Everyone loses at different rates. I had my surgery the 28th of June (10 weeks on Tuesday) and since the surgery I have lost 34 lbs. My surgeon told me that was great. Here's a little tidbit I heard before I had my surgery and I live by it everyday. As long as we follow the rules of our pouch and exercise our bodies will lose the weight, we really have nothing to do with it. That's the blessing of this tool. Not everyone will lose quickly, but our bodies will lose the weight. As far as eating. I have had two dilations done to fix the stricture and will have one more on the 14th. Since my last dilation I have been able to eat mushy food, or very soft and moist food. I try to get in all my liquids, and my nutritionist has replaced my protein drinks with two 8 oz glasses of skim milk. Good luck and keep up the good work. Make sure you measure, because even when we don't lose pounds we lose inches. All the best, Debra 239/195/125

HEY GINA! FIRST off your doing wonerfully!!!! I am looseing at a above average rate but it will slow down. THIS week i think i only lost 2 lbs. I only started my excerise yesterday so i bet you have converted some lbs to muscle and it weighs more. I am not very tone and now i have to work on that. I wouldnt worry...we will all get to goal following our surgeons rules. I hate to admit i feel i eat to much cause i hae snackedo n chips and stuff that i know i shouldnt. I have small kids and run a daycare so when i give out crackers i do eat some. YOU did mention a protein drink u drink with 40 grams of protein. I dont know how true or if it holds but there is a limit to how many grams of protein a body absorbs in one meal. I dont know the exact number but i know its less then 40. I have asked this at my support meetings and there looking into it. GOOD LUCK and i think your doing wonderful. WE all are with our new tools!!! ALL the best LISA 310/226/onederland

Gina, You are doing just wonderfully. Keep up the great work. Being the geek that I am, I have pretty much developed a "formula" for myself. Here are my basic rules/methods: 1. I get a minimum of 50 grams of protein per day (as recommended by my Dr.). I use a pre-mixed protein drink from GNC, called "50 Gram Slam", and drink 1/2 of it for breakfast, then the other half for afternoon pick-me-up or for dinner, depending on how full I am feeling from lunch. 2. I drink water. I try to get in 64 oz. in every day, though admittedly, I routinely fail at that. 3. I try to keep total intake below 500 calories per day. 4. I exercise regularly (usually three - four times per week). (I also happen to walk around outside the office a lot because my company has 7 different buildings spread around the area.) 5. I avoid carbohydrates as much as possible. Since our bodies use up the available carbohydrates for energy first, then go to reserves (fat), it has been my experience that I lose more successfully if I observe a strict avoidance of carbohydrates. Some other rules of thumb I have are: * Avoid drinks w/ artificial sweetener. There have been anecdotal reports that artificial sweeteners *may* slow weight loss. * Obviously, no carbonated beverages or alcohol. * Try to get some fiber in my diet. I use a no sugar added fiber supplement and try to eat higher fiber foods, such as fruits and veggies. While there is a tradeoff with some of the carbs in these foods, I find they are so minimal that they don't impact my weight loss progress significantly. * Take vitamin/mineral supplements daily. It stands to reason that if your body feels like it is missing something, it might drive you to eat things you normally wouldn't or that are not on your program. I take a sub-lingual B-12 daily, a chewable (no sugar added) calcium supplement, a GNC liquid vitamin/mineral supplement, and fiber supplement. Admittedly, I need to work on getting more iron. * I treat myself with no sugar added sweets such as Blue Bunny or Skinny Cow fudge bars so I don't feel deprived. Enjoy and good luck. - Beth

Hey there!! I can't say I actually have a food plan that I follow. But I will say this.. If you are exercising, you are building muscle. You will lose more slowly on the scale, but your inches will drop off. I know how much we all want to see the numbers move. I TOTALLY agree! However, remember that you ARE losing, and probably faster than ever! So don't dispair.. I don't drink enough water. I know that. I am still working on it. I have lost 63 pounds so far, and have been very lucky to be able to tollerate all foods. I do feel better when I eat lighter foods, however. I only have a little "taste" of heavier foods like pasta, etc. I have not had any incident of throwing up, thank God! I have to increase my water and get my A$$ exercising. God bless all of you that manage to find the time for that! All in all, remember that we are all individuals and we have all individual results. You are doing GREAT!!! I am sure you feel so much better wearing a smaller size and fitting into smaller chairs and all that! It has been a great journey thus far. Keep up the good work! Rossana 334/271/???