Introducing myslef!

Hello my fellow Alabamians!  I just found this site tonight.  I have been on here for about a month now!  I am in the process of getting a surgery date......come on already!!!!  I got held up when I went for my Psych evalution!  Apparently I am a bit of a stress eater and I like it all.  So, my Psychiatrist is making me go on a diet to see if I can actually follow a strict diet!  It is going pretty good!  I am still eating some carbs but I have mainly kept them to veggies!  Potatoes, carrots, and things like that seem to be where my carbs are still coming from!  And, I have completely given up carbonated, sugary drinks!  I have started drinking tons of water and tea (splenda or unsweetened only).  Any comments that you pros could give me on good foods to eat are much appreciated!!!!  I want to pass this diet test SO BAD!

I've also started exercising.  I used to walk on the treadmill for about 45 min at 3.5 speed.  I thought I would be able to jump on and start at 3.2 surely.....but oh man was I wrong!!!!  I was lucky to hold steady at 2.6 for 15 min.  I have gotten so complacent and didn't even realize it!  I have also started lifting 3lb weights.  Just some minor stuff like that!  I really hope that it gets me to where I will be able to expand my abilities to exercise.  I have gotten SO out of shape.  One of my goals is to be able to play tennis again!!!  It has been so long that I don't know if I would remember the rules of the game.....how horrible is that!  But I used to enjoy it so much!!!  

Here's to acheiving all of our goals and restoring our health! 

Welcome to the board and congrats on your decision to have WLS!

Sounds like you have already done a great job with your food and addressing your exercise needs.  It is truly a lifestyle change.

I am 2.5 yrs. post-op and still use Pure Protein brand protein bars from Wal-mart.  They have 20g of protein and maybe 2 g of sugar....and taste pretty good.   I also use Diet Oceanspray Cranberry and Grape juices with only 2g of sugar.

Another rule of thumb I use is to grocery shop only the perimeter of the store for the freshest and healthiest options....fresh fruit, veggies, meat, and dairy......all that junk in the center of the store and in the aisles are mostly high carb and processed.

Best of luck to you!

Leslie

Wlecome to the Board.  I agree with Leslie that it sounds like you are doing some very good things and making good choices.  I still have a problem eating protein.  I really have to make a concentrated effort to put it first.  Good things on the carbonated drinks.  I love my unsweet tea but believe me, I definitely have an addiction for coca cola's. 

I wish you the best and hope you'll hang out with us and keep us up-to-date on how your progress is going.

Welcome to our little corner of the Internet!  You are wise to tackle any head issues now-before the surgery.  As Leslie stated, you must be committed to a total lifestyle (and permanent) change.  Change isn't always easy--but it can be done!  I'm so proud to see you are exercising!  I started 6 months before my surgery and I'm so glad I did.  I was a total couch potato, and now I can't sit still! 

Like Leslie said, shop the perimeter of the store--the only thing you'll need on the "inside" aisles is cleaning stuff and whole grains!  I love Chobani Greek yogurt-it is a good boost of protein and helps curb the sweet tooth.  I eat one everyday.  Another good habit to get into now is stop drinking 30 minutes before you eat, do not drink while eating and do not resume drinking for 30 minutes after a meal-I see you've already given up sodas....great move!

Read all you can about the surgery you've chosen-the good and the bad.  Also it helped me to read about the psychological changes I should expect.

We are here for you--if you'd like to see my profile, please send me a friend request--I only allow friends to see mine after a "cyberstalker" sent me a few weird messages.

Kim

Hello and welcome to the Alabama board. Looks like you are making some good decisions now. Congratulations toward making steps toward your good health.

I also gave up carbonated beverages before surgery and started exercising. That is a GREAT beginning. Like Kim said, try to quit drinking 30 minutes before eating, don't drink while eating, and wait 30 minutes after eating to begin drinking. I also started chewing and chewing my food. You would be surprised how much that slows down your eating and decreases the amount of food that you eat at one sitting.

Good luck on your journey and come back and visit and participate often. Feel free to ask any questions that you might have.

Welcome! I'm pretty new here myself! I'm just about 1 month post-op now. I'm one of the few lap-banders, I who are active on the forum, I think!

You have a great start on this thing!

Is your psych doctor asking you to write down what you eat? I made myself a booklet to write down everything I ate and it really helps you stay on top of your choices and your calories.

Or, if you don't write it down, try a free membership at CalorieCount.com - they even have a nifty phone app that is SUPER helpful for finding nutrition info if you are eating out.

Another tool they have that I like is their calorie counter. It tells you how many calories you would need to eat per day to get to your goal weight. It even considers how active you are. I always put sedentary even if I'm not totally because I have a desk job, so if I'm not sitting in front of my computer, I'm not working, right? LOL I used it to help me get my BMI down before surgery.

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/calories-goal.php

Good luck and keep us posted! I've learned that these Alabama folks are a very nice and supportive bunch

Mary

Thanks....yes, I have to chart all of my foods.  So far, I am eating between  1000-1300 calories a day.  I can't believe how big of a change it is!  LOL 

I have been using www.SparkPeople.com to help me calculate all of my intake.   It has really made me more aware of what I am buying!  I notice that I have a hard time still with the carbs.  I am eating about 50% of carbs in a day.  I'm not sure what percentage I should be eating as far as protien, fat, and carbs go but all in all I am very proud!  And I know my husband has been extremely supportive and happy for me! 

Thanks EVERYONE for you comments!  I never really thought about shopping close to the fresh produce but it does make a LOT of sense!  I think I will try to do that this Friday when I go grocery shopping!!!!!  Thanks for that gold nugget!!!

Oh, And I didn't mention that I am in proccess of getting the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  I feel confident in my choice!  I've done tons of research on this type of surgery.  And forced myself to watch a youtube clip of the proceedure, YUCK I might add, lol!  I definately take the good with the bad and know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions about the different types of surgery.   Don't want to start a bash about the different types of surgeries, lol.....seems to always come up on the main forum if you post something about what you are having.  

Anyway, have a great day full of GREAT choices!!!

The important thing is to do your homework and make the best decision for YOU.  My sister had the VSG and has been very successful.  We have all types of surgeries on this board--we all support each other no matter what personal choices we made.  I personally know several people that have had various WLS--the common denominator to the successful ones, regardless of the type of surgery, is that they made permanent life changes.....I believe that is the key.  Now, that doesn't mean we'll NEVER eat "bad' stuff again (I do every week!!)--it just means we'll eat much smaller amounts of it and hopefully offset it with some extra time in the gym!!

Looking forward to having you on our board!

Kim

Welcome!  Lots of very nice people here and great information.  I am like you and still waiting for approval to have surgery.  I expect it will be in January or February 2011. 

My doctor wanted me to have the VSG, but I chose RNY.  I hope I am making the right decision for me.

I have also cut out all drinks with carbonation or caffeine and have increased my intake of water, and I do not like water, but I am doing it.  I am surprised that I can even drink it now.  I am proud of myself!  Also, my blood pressure has dropped 10 points which is great!

Again, welcome.  It is very nice to "meet" you.

Kim