Question for my July buddies

Hey guys, I wanted to see if some or all of you here will take a minute and help me with something. This month is my month to lead our support group and I am thinking about talking about life changes we make BECAUSE of the surgery that we have continued and made a way of life since. For example, I started before my surgery with the 30 min. no drinking after eating and nothing while eating. I have followed this for the past two years and still to this day, do not drin****il at least 30 minutes after. I don't even think about it now, early out it was hard, as I used to drink sometimes 6 glasses of tea, cola, during every meal. Before surgery, I never took vitamins. (wish I had but I never did.) Now they are as much a part of my daily routine as my morning coffee. And there are more, but these things I feel contributed to the success of my WLS. So what changes did you make and continue to live by and do you think it made a different in your success? THanks so much for any input here. (oh and just for grins, did you go to a support group ever ---do you still go?) ok enough........

I still go to my support group. Changes I've made- I take the stairs if it's two flights or less. If I take an escalator, I walk up the stairs. I try to exercise regularly. (3 X a week) Like everyone, I have good and bad months, but I make this an expectation. I stopped 'drinking calories'. While I was never a juice person, I did love my lattes. I drink Americanos with sugar free vanilla syrup and a 'splash' of skim milk (thanks Channan) now to cut the extra calories. Eat my protein first. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the input, I too love my coffee drinks, I bought some of the spenda flavored packets, the mocha and hazlenut are my favorite. Add some SF creamer and it is my starbucks alternative! Isn't it funny how often we take the stairs and I pre-op couldn't have done one flight with out passing out! Thanks again! (wow, 600 Square feet! that is small. I saw a special on Oprah with Nate Berkus the decorator who did his 600 SF New York apt. He was quite creative with space and storage)

I dont drink calories. I always make sure to drink sugar free things. Another thing is that i do not drink anything carbonated, unless there is no other choices to make. My favorite drinks are unsweetened ice tea with lemon ( i add one splenda) and i LOVE sugar free kool-aid!

thanks Tiffany. I think the no pop is crucial. I gave them up totally and I was a 6pack or more a day pop drinker. I had a sip of someone else's once and thought it was terrible. Splenda sweet tea is my all day all time drink. (Between coffee times that is! ) Congrats again on your upcoming little one! Have you seen the dr. yet?

One change I have made is NO pop. Not even diet. Also I work out 4 times a week at the gym at my work. I aslo went to support groups every month for the first year then I still go but I can't always make it every month now. I also look at the web site everyday during the week.

Hi Melissa! Long time no see. How cool would it be to have a gym at work. I talked a co-worker into giving up pop (she drank reg.) for Lent and she is doing so good, headaches at first, but has lost 10 pounds already. Said she was amazed at how it cut her cravings for sweets. How is your little one?

Thanks for asking. My daughter is doing great. We are traveling a lot with her for her gymnastics but she loves it and we love to go watch her. Take care

no sugar, no fats (nothing fried at all) no soda........... will never ever give up my coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S/f creamer.................... Amy

Yes Amy I totally agree with the coffee. It is my new addiction for sure! I find I plan my day around it. I am going to visit a friend in another state later this month and she very sweetly emailed me and asked if I "required anything special" that she needed to have and I told her just coffee! fried foods the few times I have tried a bite here and there, just dont sit well---very grouchy pouchy. so I too stay away from that. thanks for your input!