Are we slipping?
Hi everyone! It seems that posting gets less and less every week. My worry is that we're thinking we don't need support anymore. If that is the case, we couldn't be further from the truth. It's a very important part of our life-long journey and I know it is soooo easy to step back into old ways. We can help each other be accountable in addition to cheering each other on for our successes.
With Easter the day after tomorrow, we need to be prepared for facing many eating challenges. I've been looking online to find scrumptious recipes that are bariatric friendly. Does anyone have any ideas to help us stay on track?
God bless!
Brenda
I know what you mean...the further from surgery I get, I can see that I'll need support for life. It'll help me keep my head on straight, keep me on track, and keep me in touch with people who know what I'm going through. Giving support is as helpful as getting it. Reading about problems I haven't faced yet is helpful too...keeps down the surprises, if you know what I mean. I love reading the main board because it's so busy and I learn so much.
The further out I get, the more "normal" I feel...I don't feel odd for eating so little at a time anymore, it feels normal to me now. At first it was really strange because of how much I used to be able to eat at one time. I ate alot...huge portions. THAT was my normal and boy was having a new little pouch a weird experience! At first I felt like I was taking 3 bites and then I'd feel full. I missed food...missed the flavors...I missed eating for a longer length of time. Now, I can see the portion I eat is a bit smaller than a naturally thin person, but not really by all that much, not really. I have a few naturally thin friends and family, and I'm careful to watch them eat...just to see how a naturally thin person does it. I'm pretty much like them! It's pretty neat. 
Now I also have heavy friends and family, and I see them eat...large LARGE portions and I remember eating JUST like that, but I also now find it disturbing. It's a LOT of food! I'm glad I'm not able to eat like that any more. No wonder I was so frickin' heavy!!! I really like this change. I like the fact that, portionally speaking, I mindfully eat like a naturally thin person. (Some thin people get away with eating nutritionally unsound foods without gaining weight, but their portions are still on the small side.)
One way that I reprogrammed myself (It's an ongoing life-long process, for sure!) is to strive to be healthy and to really stop and consider what each food item will do for my body. Is it nourishing? Is it going to be helpful or detrimental? Will it contribute to continued success? Will it help my body thrive? I still have "Awwww, mannnn!" moments when I pass up a yummy morsel because it's nutritionally lacking, LOL. And sometimes I do eat something rather naughty because even thin people do...but I do it mindfully and mainly only on special occasions. I don't want myself to eat nutritionally unsound foods without really considering it first. I don't really have any food item that is out of bounds, but there are foods that are definitely on the unofficial "occasional treats" list and I don't eat them regularly because they aren't condusive to excellent health.
While I'm on the topic of crappier foods...has anyone noticed that foods that you used to love (and overindulge in) just don't taste the same? If I decide to have a bit of a treat...I'm so excited to have the taste of an old favorite, and it's just not as tasty. Very odd, huh? Kind of a let down BUT I'm so glad this is the case. It makes wanting it again far less likely or often.
I've come to love the flavor of fruit (and veggies even) much more than the flavor of cake, cookies, chips, etc., and I'm thrilled about it. I hope this stays with me forever.
There's a saying that "you love what you eat, so eat what you want to love"...and I'm finding it to be true. I'm so glad to have had this surgery because it FORCED me to change my habits. Now it's my job to keep them changed and that's where support is really important. Supportive places and supportive people will help me to stay on the road to health, wellness, and thinness. I'll always need support, now and for all the years to come.
On a day to day basis, I mainly stay on track by being mindful of my food choices and how they will effect my health. I also keep myself from being tempted by something unhealthy by not having it in the house. If it's not something I can have daily, I don't buy it. If it's not good for me to eat, it's not good for anyone to eat, so no one else in my house has it either. I don't feel bad for depriving my family of nutritionally unsound foods!! When I'm out of the house, it's so much easier for me to turn my nose up at foods I shouldn't choose. I'm so glad. I hope this stays this way forever. I make freshly baked yummy cookies every day that I work and I don't eat them. I'm kind of astounded. (I work at the front desk of a hotel and they have dozens of cookies available for the check-ins to snack on.)
I've also focused on changing my mindset. I refuse to diet. That mindset never worked for me because it was temporary and felt like punishment and I knew I couldn't keep going with it indefinitely. This has to be a change I can live with, and live with until the day I die, which hopefully is a long lng time from now. ;) I study naturally thin people when I can because that's what I want to be. They don't give things up, they just are wise about their choices. Moderation, y'know? I want to be healthy, so that is my focus when it comes to what I put in my mouth. I want to be healthy so I exercise too. Yea, potato chips are delish, but will they help or hurt my goals? If I'd eat them often...my goals would be hurt, so, that fact motivates me to only have a few chips and only on occasion. I don't eliminate anything, but I am mindful only to indulge on special occasions. I'm going to have a bit of Easter candy on Sunday...it's a special occasion. I won't have any before then and none after for a good long time...but on Sunday I'll treat myself, just a little bit, like a naturally thin person would. (As you can tell, I don't dump.)
Sometimes I think that I really shouldn't weigh myself everyday because sometimes when the darn thing stands still, or when it fluctuates in the WRONG direction...it can be detrimental to how I feel about ME (which I'm working on! LOL)...but other times I can see that it might be a good thing to do...it keeps me mindful of what I weigh (currently 212 lbs.). Where I came from (310 lbs.) and where I want to be (135 lbs.). It helps me keep my eye on the prize.
Anyway...I've talked enough. Just let things roll out of me. Maybe I didn't stay on topic well... LOL
Later my fellow August losers...
Hugs...
~Brandi
Now I also have heavy friends and family, and I see them eat...large LARGE portions and I remember eating JUST like that, but I also now find it disturbing. It's a LOT of food! I'm glad I'm not able to eat like that any more. No wonder I was so frickin' heavy!!! I really like this change. I like the fact that, portionally speaking, I mindfully eat like a naturally thin person. (Some thin people get away with eating nutritionally unsound foods without gaining weight, but their portions are still on the small side.)
One way that I reprogrammed myself (It's an ongoing life-long process, for sure!) is to strive to be healthy and to really stop and consider what each food item will do for my body. Is it nourishing? Is it going to be helpful or detrimental? Will it contribute to continued success? Will it help my body thrive? I still have "Awwww, mannnn!" moments when I pass up a yummy morsel because it's nutritionally lacking, LOL. And sometimes I do eat something rather naughty because even thin people do...but I do it mindfully and mainly only on special occasions. I don't want myself to eat nutritionally unsound foods without really considering it first. I don't really have any food item that is out of bounds, but there are foods that are definitely on the unofficial "occasional treats" list and I don't eat them regularly because they aren't condusive to excellent health.
While I'm on the topic of crappier foods...has anyone noticed that foods that you used to love (and overindulge in) just don't taste the same? If I decide to have a bit of a treat...I'm so excited to have the taste of an old favorite, and it's just not as tasty. Very odd, huh? Kind of a let down BUT I'm so glad this is the case. It makes wanting it again far less likely or often.
I've come to love the flavor of fruit (and veggies even) much more than the flavor of cake, cookies, chips, etc., and I'm thrilled about it. I hope this stays with me forever.
There's a saying that "you love what you eat, so eat what you want to love"...and I'm finding it to be true. I'm so glad to have had this surgery because it FORCED me to change my habits. Now it's my job to keep them changed and that's where support is really important. Supportive places and supportive people will help me to stay on the road to health, wellness, and thinness. I'll always need support, now and for all the years to come.
On a day to day basis, I mainly stay on track by being mindful of my food choices and how they will effect my health. I also keep myself from being tempted by something unhealthy by not having it in the house. If it's not something I can have daily, I don't buy it. If it's not good for me to eat, it's not good for anyone to eat, so no one else in my house has it either. I don't feel bad for depriving my family of nutritionally unsound foods!! When I'm out of the house, it's so much easier for me to turn my nose up at foods I shouldn't choose. I'm so glad. I hope this stays this way forever. I make freshly baked yummy cookies every day that I work and I don't eat them. I'm kind of astounded. (I work at the front desk of a hotel and they have dozens of cookies available for the check-ins to snack on.)
I've also focused on changing my mindset. I refuse to diet. That mindset never worked for me because it was temporary and felt like punishment and I knew I couldn't keep going with it indefinitely. This has to be a change I can live with, and live with until the day I die, which hopefully is a long lng time from now. ;) I study naturally thin people when I can because that's what I want to be. They don't give things up, they just are wise about their choices. Moderation, y'know? I want to be healthy, so that is my focus when it comes to what I put in my mouth. I want to be healthy so I exercise too. Yea, potato chips are delish, but will they help or hurt my goals? If I'd eat them often...my goals would be hurt, so, that fact motivates me to only have a few chips and only on occasion. I don't eliminate anything, but I am mindful only to indulge on special occasions. I'm going to have a bit of Easter candy on Sunday...it's a special occasion. I won't have any before then and none after for a good long time...but on Sunday I'll treat myself, just a little bit, like a naturally thin person would. (As you can tell, I don't dump.)
Sometimes I think that I really shouldn't weigh myself everyday because sometimes when the darn thing stands still, or when it fluctuates in the WRONG direction...it can be detrimental to how I feel about ME (which I'm working on! LOL)...but other times I can see that it might be a good thing to do...it keeps me mindful of what I weigh (currently 212 lbs.). Where I came from (310 lbs.) and where I want to be (135 lbs.). It helps me keep my eye on the prize.
Anyway...I've talked enough. Just let things roll out of me. Maybe I didn't stay on topic well... LOL
Later my fellow August losers...
Hugs...
~Brandi 
I also am not a big poster but I do definately come and read 
. I am really never sure what I should write I guess.
In the last two months I have lost approx. 10 pounds and I can't get my body to kick back into gear. I have in the past month really upped my excersize and thought that would kick me back in but nothing so far. I get real frustrated with myself. I just am not ready to be done loseing yet.
I don't snack...I do drink diet mtd and I don't get in my H2O....do you think that could be my problem???? Please help me get back on the loser track.
Surgery Date: 8/8/07
Starting weight: 237
Today weight: 159
Total lost to date: 78 and struggling for every pound lost.
. I am really never sure what I should write I guess.
In the last two months I have lost approx. 10 pounds and I can't get my body to kick back into gear. I have in the past month really upped my excersize and thought that would kick me back in but nothing so far. I get real frustrated with myself. I just am not ready to be done loseing yet.
I don't snack...I do drink diet mtd and I don't get in my H2O....do you think that could be my problem???? Please help me get back on the loser track.
Surgery Date: 8/8/07
Starting weight: 237
Today weight: 159
Total lost to date: 78 and struggling for every pound lost. Hi everyone! I have to reply to you, Heather about your question. YES your lack of loss is probably largely due to the fact that you're drinking diet Mt. Dew (nooooo carbonated beverages bad for you, bad for me, bad for pouch, bad all the way around) and not nearly enough water. Until recently, I didn't fully understand the reasons for not drinking carbonated beverages, I just didn't do it because I was told not to. Now knowing WHY I'm not supposed to makes me not want to at all...EVER. There are more than one reason--
1. It expands in our pouch, giving us false feelings and not letting us "feel" our pouch and how it's supposed to work for us.
2. It stretches the stoma (opening from our pouch into our intestine) and makes it much easier to eat foods faster and more of them because they pass through so much more quickly.
3. It can cause ulcers. Don't wanna get an ulcer in a tiny pouch, it could harm (or even kill) us very quickly.
If you're determined that you can't live without carbonated beverages, let them go flat before you drink them.
Also, Heather, you might try the 5 day pouch test. It worked for me. It's a 5 day test to see how your pouch is working for you now, and to get it working again if it's not working like it did. I lost around 8-9 lbs the week I did it. I'm including the link to the 5 day pouch test . I hope this helps. And don't forget how far you've come from where you started...you're still doing GREAT!
Brandi, you've got SUCH a healthy mindset! I feel blessed to have you posting here to inspire me! Enjoy your Easter candy treat! I'm gonna be eating Easter eggs and a lil bit of tater salad along with my regular protein intake. I'm soooo looking forward to having a deviled egg or two!! I've even got a bariatric recipe for deviled eggs!
Keep up the great work August losers!! We're a winning team! Hugssssssssss!
Brenda
. I hope this helps. And don't forget how far you've come from where you started...you're still doing GREAT!
Brandi, you've got SUCH a healthy mindset! I feel blessed to have you posting here to inspire me! Enjoy your Easter candy treat! I'm gonna be eating Easter eggs and a lil bit of tater salad along with my regular protein intake. I'm soooo looking forward to having a deviled egg or two!! I've even got a bariatric recipe for deviled eggs!
Keep up the great work August losers!! We're a winning team! Hugssssssssss!
Brenda Woops!! Forgot to include the link for the 5 day pouch test. Here it is...sorry for my brain malfunction lol.
http://www.5daypouchtest.com/
Hon what seems to have worked for me is just this simple....I picked rules to NEVER EVER break...
1) never drink with meals and wait 30 min after I eat
2) NEVER eat after 9 pm
3) log my food everyday even if I messed up LOG it ...it may be disheartening but you need to see what you are doing.
4) always get my water in
5) no more than 9 gr suger with a meal
6) no more than 300 calories at any one meal
now this is not a rule but I keep my calories at 850 to 900 a day if I seem to be on a stall I will lower to 750 but never go less than that.
Now do I break my own rules????..well to be honest I have a couple of times the no eating after 9 is hard especialley if i have been running all day and havent gotten in all my meals...... but I at least know where to start from if I do mess up!!!
When I first had surgery I was overwhelmed with all the rules ansd numbers I felt like giving up..but when i made up my mind to pick a few rules not to break it became easier. OOPS I forgot always take your vitamins..never miss!!
I am not a poster child for WLS....not when one of my meals last week was bean dip and fritos..lol..but I kept it under 300 cals and logged it..so in my mind it was OK....oh yea something else I do is always get in my 60 gram or more of protein..damn I have more rules than I thought..lol..never thought of myself as someone who followed the rules..but to lose this weight it is worth every one!
You are doing great.... You don't have as much to lose as some of us and you have to expect that your loss may be slower.
Good luck and keep up the good work
Pamela
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