Big Losers?

Those of you that are going to lose 100+ lbs in 6 months would you mind sharing with the slow losers club what you are doing post op? What food restrictions are you on? (the guidelines your doctor has given you) Do you do protein shakes? What and how much exercise do you do? Do you eat carbs? Do you snack? How much water do you get in a day? Do you drink coffee or sodas? I know we are not supposed to compare but I myself could use some ideas here Jackie

Hi everyone.. I am new to this message board, but I couldn't help responding to this post. As my surgeon tells me, this is a tool, you use it to your benefit. But the entire goal is for you to live a "normal" life. Now, maybe I am a bad influence , but I don't count calories, protein grams, or ounces of water I intake. I eat foods that are semi good for me, trying to focus on meats for protein and things like that, but I am not obsessed with it. I will eat pasta, pizza, etc when I am in the mood for it. I generally don't eat much bread, only because it fills me up too fast. I don't do protein drinks, mainly because they cause me to dump. I snack on fruits, nuts, cheese and popcorn. I have had a glass of diet Dr. Pepper and a beer, but the bubbles make me feel funny, so I usually stick to water and de-caf Iced tea. I try to get a 30 min workout routine in at least 3 days a week, but don't always succeed. I feel better when I do. I do light weights and aerobics, walking is not enough for me, never has been. I may not be the poster child for this surgery, but I don't think that I am doing that bad when I have lost 77lbs in less than 4 months. Granted, you have to remember that the more weight you have to loose, the faster it will come off in the begining. It slows down once you start reaching your goal. Hang in there, be patient. I plateaued for 2 1/2 weeks, I got very discouraged, but it started back up again. You have to remember when you are exercising, you are building muscle, that causes a lot of plateaus. Thanks for the wonderful posts everyone!! I look forward to them! Lisa

I don't think I am doing anything different from most of you. What food restrictions are you on? I did follow my doctor's restrictions to the letter until he said eat anything within reason but stay away from carbs & make sure you get in enough protein. I drink a protein shake almost every morning made from soy milk, soy supplement, and either strawberries or banana. Sometimes I add tofu for more protein. Twelve oz is almost 30 grams of protein. I count that as my breakfast & eat only 2 other meals each day. I choose food high in protein. I keep track of my food intake on fitday & take in well under 1000 calories a day, usually around 700. I NEVER eat anything sweetened with sugar unless it is naturally sweetened ( fresh fruit, for example.) Do you do protein shakes? See above. I don't buy prepared shakes but only because they are too sweet & I cannot handle whey proteins & that's what most are made of. What and how much exercise do you do? I have a Gazelle & use that almost every day for at least a half hour. In addition I manage to walk about 3.5 miles a day just doing what I do. I have joined a gym & use their machines when I can. Yesterday I tried a workout video. Within only a couple minutes of the warmup I heard a loud snap & felt it in my left hip. I stopped immediately. I am now limping around & will hold off on the exercise for a day or so. I don't think I did anything serious but it hurts. It is better today than yesterday. I also work 40 hours a week & help my dairy farmer husband feeding calves (lots of physical activity.) Do you eat carbs? Yes, but not a whole bunch. I don't count carbs though. I concentrate on proteins. I usually get 60 grams a day. I love bread & am slowly starting to eat small amounts. I also LOVE popcorn. I reward myself with it when I have done well that week. It is my weekend treat. Do you snac****asionaly but not much. Again, I snack on foods good for me. How much water do you get in a day? My downfall. I try for 64 oz but sometimes don't get it. However, my doctor just told me that anything liquid at room temp can be counted as a part of my fluids. When I drink my protein shake, I have no problem getting at least 64 oz. Do you drink coffee or sodas? I love coffee & usually drink regular, caffiene and all. I am not allowed sodas ( pop, we call it here in Iowa.) I can drink it if I allow it to go flat but I am afraid I will start cheating & leave it carbonated so I stay away from it. Also, I have never dumped but haven't eaten anything that will cause it. I am afraid that I won't dump so haven't tested it. I don't want to find out I can eat sweets. That would be too much of a temptation. Believe me, next weekend will be a horror. My son is getting marrried & I love wedding cake. Dixie (down 85 lbs at 4.5 months)

I don't count calories, carbs, protien or water intake. I fill my 16 oz water bottle every morning with about 4 oz of tropicana light and health oj and then add water for the other 12 oz. I drink this all morning long. Then I sip through out the day. I was doing some protien drinks in the morning but I got burned out on that and stopped. I snack on cheese cubes and crackers. Sunflower seeds, peanuts or cashews. Fruits either strawberry or small apple. Then I may have a sugar free ice cream bar if I want a treat in the evening or popcorn. For meals it is salad with some chicken or maybe a pasta with some meat. In all honestly I try to eat normal. I dont think its right to go over board on the counting carbs, protein etc. I try make the correct choices. Plus I dont want to lose weight then gain it all back b/c I hate a dish of pasta. I dont drink coffee, tea or soda. I drink only water, crstyal light and my watered down oj. Karie -64