1 year surgiversary!!

Susan, you're right...I DID NOT celebrate with food.  We actually had my daughter's 8th birthday party that day.  I did not eat any cake, but then I've never been a sweets eater...I wouldn't have eaten the cake even if I hadn't had surgery.  We had a great time...13 kids total ranging in age from 4-8, along with a few parents.  We had it in the gym at our church so they pretty much played their hearts out...it was a fun day and I was able to play around with them instead of just sitting on my behind watching everyone else have fun! I have not increased my calories lately, I still struggle to reach 1000 calories daily.  I know this is too low, but it has become a mental thing with me.  Somewhere deep down I'm afraid if I eat more I'll gain weight, even though I know logically that I need to eat more.  You said you were maintaining at around 1700 calories daily, where do you find the extra calories without adding more fat and carbs?  The biggest thing I watch daily are fat grams because I know that low fat intake is the key to weight loss and maintenance, with or without surgery.  My protein intake is usually 80-90 g, most of that from food not supplements, my fluids are 80+ oz. daily, my fat intake is usually around 20-25g and my carbs around 90-100g, depending on how much fruit I eat....and those carbs are from fruit, veggies, and whole grains. Any suggestions?  I emailed JoBeth about it but haven't heard back from her yet.  I posted this on here instead of PM in case someone else can benefit from our conversation.

Hey Denise, I know, I know, it's so scary to even think about eating more, but you can do this, just like you've stayed on track all this year to lose. Getting in touch with JoBeth is nearly impossible these days. I've sent e-mails, left voice mail messages and even had Lauren Hill send her a note, which she finally answered. Seems she's super busy and they are short handed, so I will just share what she has told me to do once I made goal. First of all, don't be afraid if when you do start eating more you might lose some more weight. You have to find the right ratio of calories, protein, carbs and fat that makes your body happy. It meant losing another 8-9 lbs for my body to find the weight it wanted to be at and has pretty much settled in at 127-128. Now, you're going to flip flop your thinking about protein and carbs. You will INCREASE your carbs while decreasing your protein ever so little. Example:  instead of having rolled up sliced turkey, have the sliced turkey on a slice of whole grain bread cut in half. Easy.... Add snacks. DONT FREAK!!!  I know we've been trained to eat three meals a day, no snacks, but you're maintaining now, not trying to lose. Healthy snacks are the key here.  A half an apple with some peanut butter, a few whole wheat crackers with 2% sliced cheese, a carton of low fat yogurt, almonds (about 11 are under 200 cals and has protein and beneficial fats). Just add something mid morning and mid afternoon. You might find that you need to add something in the evening as well. I count everything on Fitday.com, and after dinner I look to see where I am to determine what my evening will be like. Sometimes, if I've been really busy at work I will literally eat most of the evening!  Crazy, but I have to have a minimum of 1500 calories or I can drop a pound overnight. OK to do if I was still over 200 lbs, but not when I'm already pushing the "too thin" envelope. JoBeth also advised me to add a heavier protein shake to my day. Milk, protein powder, a sm container of yogurt and some frozen fruit. Higher carb count, but still good protein. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. That's what I'm here for! Hugs

Susan, I'm doing those things already.  Back around 6 months ago I was having headaches and dizzy spells every day and Dr. Gibbs told me that I was going too long between meals and suggested adding in snacks, even though we're advised not to.  He said that just doesn't work with every body because our bodies are different yada yada yada.  So I eat between meals, healthy snacks...fruit (my favorites are bananas, oranges, and grapes), protein bar, protein chips (soy)...things like that.  I keep a can of almonds on my kitchen counter for when I just need something to put in my mouth.  I won't eat cheese, unless its shredded fat free, because of the high fat content...can't stand peanut butter anymore.  I have a glass of Calorie Countdown Chocolate Milk every night before bed.  I make a protein shake with a 6oz. container of yogurt smoothie (dannon), protein powder and frozen fruit...I also make a protein pudding using sugar free instant pudding.  I eat a bowl of weight control oatmeal almost every morning, lunch is usually turkey breast w/veggie or mashed sweet potatoes...same for dinner, turkey or chicken.  Yesterday, I ate all day long, at least it seemed like I did and my calories were still under 1000 at the end of the day.  I track on fitday.com too so I know what I'm getting and I measure out my food still. Having said all of that, I guess I'm just going to have to make myself allow some higher calorie/fatty foods back into my diet...like cheese.  Gonna try to contact JoBeth again, eventually she'll answer me.  If you don't mind, would you send me a list of what your typical menu is for a day...just what you normally eat every day. I think I've just eaten the same things and amounts for so long now that its hard to break out of the habit.  I'm still wanting to lose about 10-12 more pounds and that's not going to happen if I don't increase my calories..I've also just recently started back into my exercise routine...1-1.5 hrs. every other day...so I know I need to eat more because I"m burning more, right? You know, a year ago I figured that at a year out from surgery I'd be struggling to not eat too much, never dreamed I'd be having the opposite problem.  Sorry to ramble so much! Thanks for your advice and support!

Wow....you're doing everything right!!! Except that one little thing.....you need more. How about making a sandwich out of that turkey at lunch?  Sara Lee makes a whole wheat bread that's only 45 cals per slice.  One slice of bread, your turkey and maybe a slice of 2% cheese??? Honestly, everything you're eating looks super, very healthy and, geeze, what more can I say?? Do you like avocado? It's a great source of good fat, tastes great on a turkey sandwich.  I keep those packages of sandwich crackers(cheese) in my station at work. About 200 calories for a whole package. Kind of high in sodium, but with all the liquids I drink, I don't much care.  I probably get at least 350 calories a day from milk...1 whole milk 16oz latte a day, and at least one 2% latte.  How about beans?  High in carb, fiber and good protein. Can you switch the calorie countdown milk for a glass of 1 or 2 %?? I'll keep thinking, and yes, I'll print out a page of fitday and post it below.

Susan, You've been a great help!  I hadn't thought about making a sandwich with the turkey, instead of just eating the turkey.  And I hadn't thought about switching my milk either...both very good suggestions.  Your menus look great...who says we don't eat well after gastric bypass?  But the fat grams scare the bejeezies out of me...I average 20-25 fat grams daily and it usually comes out to about 20% of my daily calories.  But I suppose if I increase my calories then I can increase my fat intake, right?  I'm going to play around with the numbers a little, see what I can change and switch over.  Yesterday I managed to get to 1103 calories by adding an orange before bed and some protein pudding before dinner.  I'm going to stay around 1100-1200 and see what happens.  I'm finishing up a steroid pack and anti-inflammatory medication for my back so I'll have to let that get out of my system before I can expect to see any change on the scales, just another 10lbs. or so to get  me to a normal BMI range. Thanks again for your help, I'm going to put your suggestions into play...think I'll have a turkey sandwich today with a slice of 2% cheese...that's what I give my kids. Take care!

I know, the fat thing bothers me too, but until I can keep my weight stable I have to keep the fat grams up. I think up to 25% would be ok....My opinion only LOL

Ok, here goes. These are three  different days, printed off Fitday.com. I'm just going to do it Bfst, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack and not put all of the info in, just at the end. Will make it easier. When I got up:     Whole milk Latte (1 cup) Bkfst:      Carb balance tortilla with eggbeaters (1/4 c) 1 oz ground turkey                           breakfast   sausuge and a couple tbs shredded 2% cheese.  1/2 pear On the way to work:   Whole milk Latte (1 1/2 c) S          Nature Valley Granola bar L         Egg foo yung (1 pattie) 1/4 c fried rice S         Activia yogurt, South Beach Diet Granola clusters, mixed together D         Mahi Mahi (grilled fish), less than 1/4 c couscous, less than 1/4 c green                     beans S         Protein drink Cals 1383 Fat 49  Carbs  147  Protein  114 Get up:   Whole milk latte Bkfst        Quesadilla made with whole wheat tortilla, shredded low fat cheese, salsa On the way to work:   Whole milk latte S            11 almonds L          South beach diet  Kung Pao Chicken S         Chicken salad on 5 wheat thins(reduced fat) D         Lentil soup s         Smoothie made with 1/2 c milk, 1 carton Activia yogurt, Blueberries and protein powder Cals:  1560   Fat 58, Carbs  151  Protein 112 Got up         Whole milk latte Bkfst            sandwich:  2 slices LF whole wheat bread, sliced turkey ham, 2%                             cheese Way to work      Whole milk latte S               Activia yogurt w/ south beach diet clusters L            Smart ones sweet & sour chicken S            Sandwich crackers filled w/ cheese D            talipia, sweet potato              2% milk steamer( heated milk w/ SF vanilla syrup) Cals:  1520, Fat 57 Carbs 156 Protein 105 As you can see, I couldn't make it if I had a problem with milk!  LOL Now, I don't always eat a whole sandwich, in fact, almost never, but it's easier to count more than try to figure 7/8 of a sandwich!  Same is true with the frozen meals I take to work, etc. Hope this helps! Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Hugs

Denise congratulation on your great success in your weight loss journey and your 1-year anniversary!  Thanks for all your posting of your accomplishments and answering all my questions a long as others.  Your advice and experiences have helped me with my journey.  You are a great mentor!  Keep up the great work!