Poll of the week!

Hi September buds... This week I thought I'd ask about compliance. Most of us have learned of the many different pouch rules, either through this website or your own surgeon. Some are written in stone, while others seem variable depending on who you ask. What rules do you obey strictly, and what are you more relaxed about? I probably don't need to add this, but please be gentle if you are challenging someone else's way of doing things. Not all doctors are in agreement, so it's a given that we wont all be doing things identically. Strict: 1) I use fitday every day (there have only been a couple exceptions) I need this for accountability and control. It works for me. 2) I have been increasing my exercise every week. 3) Vitamins. I take my calcium citrate, vitamins, sublingual b's regularly. 4) Not drinking with food. (I do take an occasional teensy sip, but that's it.) 5) Soda. It's out of my life. No other high caloric drinks either. 6) Daily dose of Obesity Help (AMOS) Board wisdom, must keep educated. 7) Most fast food is history for me. I do have a couple of very healthy favorites I allow myself occasionally, but that's it. 8) weighing. I weigh once a week on a doctor's scale at my folk's house, and every morning on mine. Relaxed: 1) caffeine. This is a no-no for many, but after hearing from a top surgeon at the california OH convention that it's not been found to be a problem, I am enjoying my coffee guilt free. 2) water. I must admit that I don't drink as much as I should. 3) sugar. I don't consume much of this, but I have had some. 4) protein shakes. I do count my protein grams, but don't use shakes anymore. 5) I sometimes cheat on the amount of time allowed between meals and water. I don't always wait an hour, sometimes only 1/2 hour. 6) Alcohol. I have had a drink here and there in the last few months, but I avoid the sugary ones and haven't over indulged. OK these are my habits and confessions! I am pretty comfortable with my ways, but always open to the wisdom that's out there amongst all of you! ~Sue

I pretty much let my pouch guide me. I need to work on increasing the water (I should have a bottle right next to me but I don't) and go back to focusing on protein. My surgeon does not obsess about protein amounts but i find I can tolerate carbs pretty well and have been having too much lately. Exercise is good. Feeling great!!! nan 284/199/170

Hey Sue, Good idea! I agree, we all have different pouch rules! Here are the ones I live by.. Strict: -Get in my protein every day -Do my best to get in as much water as possible -Take my vitamins -No carbonation -Weigh on Sundays -Eat a balanced diet, including veggies, fruits and some carbs Relaxed: -caffeine -carbs, I dont freak out about carbs found in fruits, veggies, and some whole grains. With love, Em

Excellent poll... strict I will not drink for the 30 mins after eating measuring my foods Still eating with my baby spoon taking 20-30 mins to eat LAX exercise is not on going that childs multi vitamin i am suppose to have 2...but i do good to get the one in as it just is that nasty to me..(i should see about switching) I will drink right up till 5 mins before time to eat..I seem to struggle with getting enough in..though i will not after.. 293/265/192/?

Hi everyone, Lets see: Strict, 1. no carbanation I haven't had a soda since March 8, 2004 almost a year. 2. only 5 grms of sugar is allowed I try and stay below that. 3. Vitamins, calcium, and b12 daily 4. protien is a must doing pretty well with this 5. no fast food makes me sick relaxed, 1. exercise I am starting to work out more, hard to with my schedule but am now planing for it. 2. getting in enough water 3. I do sip every once in a while with my meals 4. carbs, trying to keep control of these, 5. caffenine I do have in my ice tea Sonya

My gosh Sue, You are such a pretty lady! I am now (9/17) 4 months post op and have lost 72 lbs. down from a high of 331. I have also found that i am losing inches a lot faster than the pounds, but I am ecstatic with my progress. I pretty much follow the same rules as you. I am walking more than I have ever walked. Not as much other exercise as I'd like due to schedule, but i'm working on it. Protein shakes....yuck......can't stand em so I try to get my protein in from the foods I eat. As for the water...it is tough but I try to get in as much as is needed everyday. Best wishes, and keep up the good work on your "personal" journey, and it is indeed a personal journey for each of us. Steel

Thank you for your kind words! Please post more often! 72 lbs down is fantastic! Like you, I also think I am losing inches at times when the scale isn't moving much. Keep up the great work and best wishes to you also, Steel. Hope to hear from you again soon. ~Sue

I just try to do everything I am supposed to do. Most days I do well. Some days I don't do so great. Things I try to do well each day: 50g Protein--almost always make it Water--could be better Exercise--could be better Vitamins--almost always Sugar in large amounts--hardly ever Fast Food--prolly 3 times since surgery I will drink a sip of my husband's coke every now and again, but I haven't had an entire soda since surgery. I drink tea with splenda every day. That's all folks! -Katie

Ok - I'll play: Strict: Protein shake every morning - otherwise I would not get 60gms in. Vitamins- 2 chewable multi/b12 every morning/ iron once a week/calcium needs work. I sometimes forget the second one. Sugar - afraid to try it! Carbonated drinks - not yet. OH Website - pretty much every day. Kids - Tell them I Love them at least 3 times a day. Lax: Exercise - needs a lot of improvement!!!!! Water- I think I only get in 40oz a day. I do sip with meals and haven't paid much attention to the 30 min rule. Hope that doesn't come back to haunt me one day. Teri

Excellent survey question Sue! Now for me........ STRICT: Take All my vitamins DAILY Drink only Crystal light/No Soda, caffeine Consume no more than 5grams of sugar Eat my meals on a small plate with a small spoon and fork No drinking before/during/after meals Get in my daily amount of protein Watch my fat consumption No chocolate or sweets No SEX before/during/or after meals---> Gottcha, just checking to see if you are being observant! Eat slow at meals Set short term goals No alchohol consumption No bread consumption Will NOT buy any new clothes until I am considered to be normal weight Only drink 1% milk with my protein powder Faithfully spend time daily at OH, very important to stay informed and FOCUSED RELAXED: Eat regular cheese, can't stand the taste of fat free Exercise could be alot more, but I do get my weight lifting in everytime I have to lift my 22 year old disabled daughter Will occassionally eat out but will eat healthy according to Dr. orders Will eat proportioned amount of pasta----tummy likes it----no rumbling noises Will eat soup especially if not feeling well Have cheated a few times with just a few chips Have to learn how to cook in smaller portions for a family of 4 rather than like I was cooking for an army for a weeks worth of leftovers ---comes from watching my Mom cook as a teenager for our family of six Can't think of anything else at the moment so I think I will stop here and leave some room for someone else to respond. Hugs Marianne