Recent Posts
Breakfast:
1 C. Cream of Wheat
1 Egg, plust 2 Egg Whites
2 T. 2% Cottage Cheese
FF Half-n-half, for Coffee
AM Snack
1 C. Silk Soy Milk w/DHA Omega-3
1 Svg. Syntrax Nectar Cappucino Whey Protein
Lunch
1 Slice 100% Whole Wheat Bread
4 Oz. Chicken Breast
1 C. Salad Mix
1/2 T. Balsamic vinegar
PM Snack
1 C. Silk Soy Milk w/DHA Omega-3
1 Svg. Syntrax Nectar Cappucino Whey Protein
Dinner
4 oz. Tilapia
1/1 C. Broccoli
Protein: 169 g
Carbs: 97 g
Fat: 26 g
Total Calories: 1,314
52% Protein
30% Carbs
18% Fat
Vitamins:
Flinstones Complete AM & PM
Biotin
B-12 Dot
CorOmega (AM & PM)
Calcium Citrate w/Magnesium & Vitamin D
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
Thanks Corinna and Wanda!
I hope no one took it personally. Backing away is what I had to do for my head. I knew better. I know I feel better and am happier. :)
As far as the metabolism slowing down? Well, I'd like to believe that, except that I purchased a boddybugg, which has 7 sensors on it. You wear it all day long and it calculates, with 97% accuracy how many calories you burn in a day. I was careating a deficit between 1500 and 2000 (or more on days I worked out) and still was not dropping.
I like what you said Corinna about taking pleasure at thethought of having taken control. That part is definitely a pleasure!!!
Wanda, I have to tell you -- you look great!
Donna
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
on 10/6/08 5:15 pm - FL
Wanda
welcome back!!! You won't get any disbelief from me (or probably anyone for that matter). Although I did loose more than you I got stuck 15 pounds above my goal weight. Literally NOTHING I did made me loose anything, or if I did it came right back the next day. Like you I tried low calorie, low carb, more carbs, more protien and I was working out six days a week it was ridiculous! I journaled everything (which was good because when I didn't I gained weight), planned my meals but all that did was allow me to maintain. Now maintaining isn't a bad thing but I REALLY wanted to loose those last few pounds and it was beyond frustrating that I couldn't. In the end my bariatric surgeon said if I was really that concerned and since I was already planning on doing plastic surgery it's what would shed the last bit. So I did finally get where I wanted to be but only after major surgery...ug!
I think one of the long term complications that they haven't done much research on is the possibility that our metabolisms slow WAY down after surgery. almost every diet plan out there has you eating 1500 calories a day to LOSE weight. If I ate 1500 calories every day I'd gain weight. If I ate the 2000 calories that is recommended to maintain normal weight I'd be back at 300 pounds before you knew it. Of course this is purely based on my experience and thoughts and has no basis in science but I think it would be an interesting study to make.
Anyway, all that to say I do understand why you would feel frustrated and bad. I probably would too in your shoes. The fact that you did lose 93 pounds and have maintained that is something to feel good about though. You're wearing clothing you can purchase in a normal store and you are able to do major athletics. You are definitely a success even though you didn't loose 100 pounds or more. So keep doing what you're doing and try to take pleasure at the thought that you've taken control of your life and are doing everything you can to live in a healthy way.
Corinna Q
Dr. Oz, from Discovery Health, does a whole thing on how healthy poops should be! I agree it's not the prettiest topic, but you can tell a lot of things from poop!
http://health.discovery.com/fansites/dr-oz/dr-oz.html
His book, You: The Owners Manual is a great guide to your body's physiology. It is written well and is easy to understand.
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
Isn't it funny how we all find our way back here?
I have to come clean about something... While you guys were rockin' and rollin' last year, I had to take a step back. I just couldn't keep up with you all and started feeling badly about the progress I had made. I couldn't keep from comparing myself to all of you who seemed to continue to lose. I wanted to be happy for everyone, and I genuinely was, but I'd leave the board feeling horrible about myself; it became counterproductive to me.
At 22 months out I still sit at -93 lbs. from my surgery date. I haven't gained, but I stay around the same weight fluctuating just a couple pounds up one day and down the next. It's just crazy. Ironically this is the same problem I had pre-op. I've tried several different approaches... more calories, less calories, low carb, tapered carbs, on and on.
I'm eating right. I follow the rules. I'm not feeding anyone any BS either... I work it. I journal every single thing I eat still and even invested in a Body Bugg just to see what I was burning each day. I'm definitely creating a deficit every single day. If it really is a matter of eating less and moving more, I'm here to prove that theory wrong.
One of the reasons I stopped coming here at all was that I felt people would think I must not have been following the "plan." Well, I have and I do, and still here I sit. I mean way post-op doesn't lose 100 lbs.? I don't mean to be a downer, I'm just keeping it real.
Logically, I am happy to say that I'm extremely healthy -- no longer Diabetic. I did my first Triathlon and completed the MS150 in June and April, respectively. I'm still lifting weights and I actually hold the 2nd highest female leg-press at the gym, at 920 lbs.! I even make the guys look!
I'm wearing a 16, I've been able to buy some 14s,but I'm no where near the sizes you all are at.
In any case, I'm here and I'm checking everyday now; for me and for all of us. We an help one another over this hump. :)
Take care all,
Donna
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
on 9/24/08 9:01 am - FL
Here is my vitamin regime:
Morning: Bariatric Advantage Multi (1)
Bariatric Advantage Calcium (1)
Vitamin D (1)
Probiotic
Coramega (2000mcg Fish Oil)
Midmorning: Baritaric Advantage Calcium
Lunch: Bariatric Advantage Multi (1)
Bariatric Advantage Calcium (1)
5pm: Coramega
Tender Iron (3)
Bed Time
Tender Iron (3)
Copper
Vitamin C (1000 mg)
I'm on extra calcium and iron because of my deficiencies. Take good care of yourself. I've taken my vitamins and protein supplements without fail and I still have deficiencies! Two different physicians told me to take vitamins, do weight bearing exercises, and use a treadmill. I just laughed because you would be hard pressed to find anyone who did those things more than me!
As far as the skin issues, exercise will help. There is only so much that exercise will do for skin though. Cosmetic surgery is the only way to remove the excess. I had a tummy tuck, breast lift, and augmentation. I love the end results. I had some issues during the process, but everything worked out fine. I'm looking forward to a face lift, then I will call it quits. In the meantime I am using Obagi products on my face with very good results.
Good luck and keep fighting the good fight! You can and will succeed!
Wanda
Trust me you're not alone! Although this group goes through it's actively posting stages (we're not super active at the moment) all of us have been struggling with the fact that we now have to actively monitor what we eat and force ourselves to exercise. The free ride of the 12 months after WLS is long gone and now we have to work to keep what we've gained or lost as the case may be :-)
For me a helpful thing has been using sites like www.fitday.com to track what I eat everyday. It really helps keep things in perspective about what I'm putting in my mouth since I'm going to have to record it later. The other thing that has helped me is to plan my meal everyday, what and when I'm going to eat. Grazing is my biggest problem. I still get full very quickly at an actual "meal" and still have fairly low sugar tolerance but if I snack I can eat all day and that adds up QUICK!!!
For supplements I take a multivitamin, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D, Calcium, iron and try to get two protien shakes in (60 grams of protien total which usually puts my day at around 100 grams with the food I eat). Other than the vitamin D, which was just added to by my doctor because it was low on my blood tests, I would think most WLS patients should be taking the rest of them. Have you had blood work done recently? That would tell you if you are getting low on anything and what you should concentrate on.
I assume by your skin changing you mean that it is saggy? Unfortunately for us massive weight loss folks there really isn't much that even heavy weight lifting and serious exercise can do about that. Our only option for getting rid of all that loose skin is plastic surgery. I personally just had a lower body lift that took off almost 10 pounds of loose skin from around my torso.
Well, that's my spiel :-) Like I said, you're not alone. All of us November '06 gals are going through the exact same thing!!!
Corinna Q
Happy Tuesday everyone!!!
I have not been an active member of this group for quite sometime now. I thought I could do this all on my own and I was for awhile; however, I no longer lose weight...in fact I have gained 17 pounds over the last 9 months. I need a HUGE kick in the pants!! I am recommiting myself to being healthy. I had my surgery in Nov 2006 I weighed 325 pounds I now weigh 172 pounds. My all time lowest weight was 155 pounds in October 2007. A lot has changed in almost a year. I am madly in love with my boyfriend, I no longer work in my high stress executive job and I finally completed my colleg degree. Granted life did step in and there were many ups and downs and I let my determination and drive slip away. Along with the friends who supported me and kept me in check with my weight loss goals. I fell off the band wagon in Jan/Feb when my work and school were priority number 1. As a result my immune system plummeted and I continued to get sick every other month finally resulting in a case of mono and becoming anemic. I am now in a position where I can focus on myself and revamp my life. I am currently unemployed ( I was laid off) and living in a brand new area. Now that I have TIME lots and lots of TIME to find a job and recommit myself to being healthy. Here is the problem. I have completely fallen off the band wagon I eat pretty much whatever I want. I don't count calories, how much protein I eat, regularly excercise or take my vitamins regularly. Today is different. Today I will go back to the healthy behaviors I clung to while losing weight. Today i will drink lots of water. Today I will eat high protein and yummy veggies. Today i will take my multivitamins and minerals. Today I am going to the gym and working out. Today I will restart my quest of being under 150 pounds.
I need help though. Can someone please re-educate me on what I should be taking (vitamins/supplements etc.) Also, my skin has changed A LOT any suggestions? I mean besides weight training and exercise? Anything work for anyone? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
jen
I'm actually having the opposite problem at the moment. I'm not eating. I've completely lost my appetite after my PS. I'm having to force myself to eat at least high protien stuff. I get full VERY quickly and even when I do eat it's not because of any hunger pangs it's because it's been 9 hours since I had anything. I'm sure it won't last but it's like I've just has my RNY again because I also get full almost immediately. The weird part is that I returned to a normal appetite about a week after surgery but as soon as I started work I've lost it completely. At this point I've lost about 7 pounds more than they cut off me and I still have a lot of swelling. Not that I'm really complaining as I had the weight to loose...in fact would love to drop three more so I can finally be at that 142 mark :-) But this isn't a healthy way to do it. Shee****'s like there is no middle ground...I'm either having to carefully watch everything I eat or carefully force myself to eat.
But I have definitely been where you are and the absolute best tool I found was not only tracking my food but sitting down for two minutes every morning and planning not only what I'm going to eat but what time I'm going to eat it at. I'm apparently one of those people that is always worried about when I'm going to get my next meal (when I'm actually eating that is) so I use that as an excuse to snack. I discovered when I could look at my written "menu" and look at the clock it was always okay that I could wait 30 more minutes or even an 1hour and 30 minutes until I got to eat again simply because I knew that I was going to eat at that time. I had no idea I was that type of person. In fact when I read that question in the Beck book I answered no. But I did the planning thing just to try and lo' and behold I am that type of person. The other thing I have to allow myself is two days a week to not worry about it. I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I find that I really don't go so overboard and it lets me obsess about food a lot less during the week when I am being fairly restictive. Again it's the, I'll be able to eat that on Friday, my free day, so I don't need it now. I know that this does not work for everyone because it's just too much like falling off the wagon. But because I've given myself permission to do it and know it's part of my "plan" I end up not feeling guilty and sticking to my plan.
At the moment I'm having a not so great day (in the I'm so uncomfortable and swollen I want to die way) so I'm a little whiney :-) I'm just over four weeks post op and totally impatient with the recovery thing. I want to be normal NOW!!! Anyway, I totally comprehend the need to vent and rant :-)
Have a wonderful week!
Corinna Q
