Fast Forward

Good mornin' all, I was reading a newsletter that I get and found the following article: "CUTTING CALORIES TO WEIGHT LOSS No matter how you slice it, when it comes to losing weight calories count, a University of Virginia specialist says. Glenn Gaesser, professor of exercise physiology, says eating and living well is about providing bodies with proper nutrients. "Too many consumers continue to buy into the fad diet rhetoric, the latest of which has been the low-carb craze," said Gaesser, director of the Kinesiology Program in the Curry School of Education. "Unfortunately, when consumers cut carbohydrates, they're eliminating an entire food group that not only can assist with weight loss, but also provides many important health benefits." I'm curious about what your thoughts are now vs. what they used to be pre-op. Like the article says, no matter how you slice it, it all comes down to calories in/ calories out in the end. Many of us have had the added benefit of an extra tool in our tool kit by having surgery...but the further away from the surgery you get, the more you realize you have to use those early months to learn good, healthy, LIFESTYLE, habits. No magic bullet ( damnit lol ) I see alot of discussion at times on the main board about low/no carb, and just about every other philosophy under the sun. I know pre-op I was one of those people who would buy a TON of magazines every month and try all the latest diets. Yep, yep, when the magazine people would hold their meetings they would say..."This one will never sell" then the other guy would say " Linda will buy it! " Now I don't see any of the gimmick diets as anything more than a way to maybe kickstart a boring rut you may have fallen into, maybe something to shake up your overall plan a little bit. I think quality carbs are essential to being healthy! I may not eat a loaf of sourdough anymore but I certainly include veggies and whole grains as an overall part of my plan. I think I have finally gotten it through my skull that it really is all about eating properly and exercising and treating your body well. WHY is it the simplest things are the most complicated to grasp sometimes? How has your diet mentality changed over time? Where do you see it going? Personally I am so glad not t be a slave to the crazy fad thing anymore...anybody want my copy of the Okra and applesauce diet, I don't need it anymore Linda

Hey Lady L, Nice post.. and one to think about... You know me.. I'm a struggler all the way around, my diet has not changed, nor the mind. Hopefully..one day...it will. I'm looking for the surgeon that can go into the memory part of our brains, and surgically remove the horrific childhood and early adult hood memories.. I wonder what kind of person I would be if I didn't have the demons deeply imbedded. How would I look at life?? What would I accomplish??? What size would I be???? hmm TTL T

Good article! Yes, it is true that calories in...calories out is our new mantra! (Garbarge in...Garbage out... also applies). I actually don't think about dieting anymore. My thoughts revolve around eating good foods (and staying away from 50 years of bad food), exercising, and meditation. One of the things that the surgery has made me realize is that I don't even need to try things anymore just because someone says they are to die for, because without the surgery I was dying by trying. It is not because I am trying to find out what my pouch will allow or not allow, it is more because I have more control over what is good vs bad food now. So even though the new peanut butter diet looks interesting I think I'll pass and stick to a strategy that is working! Rob

Wow, guys .. this is a good one! Thought-provoking! I really needed to hear this right now. I'm just getting started with my new tool and I want to wield it properly ... I don't want to thwart or undermine how far I've come thus far (which has been miniscule , comparatively) I just want to keep the path that will get me out my deadly forest so to speak. I've been annoyed with myself because I want to "get it" right now! I want the ha*****ange, now. But it sounds like it's a process and therefore it takes time ...hmmmm ...like all good things. I think I'll ruminate on this awhile. Thank you for the reminders. Sandi

Linda, Thanks for sharing the info! Very interesting! I am six months out and I found that I don't crave the junk type foods I used to (you know cakes, pies, cookies). AT ALL! But I guess I shouldn't say that too loud since I am not that far out. :>) I LOVE the grocery store's salad bar because I can go every other day or so and get some SMALL amounts of cut-up fresh fruit (melon, fruit mixture, etc.) and eating a chunk or two is just the treat I need! I do that with the veggies too. If I buy bigger, I can't eat the stuff before it goes rotten. Before I felt like I was just "shoveling in" the food but now I can appreciate the tastes more. I do find that I become very preoccupied with packing in as much protein as I can and it sometimes keeps me from eating balanced ( you know, the fruit, veggies, etc...). I try to have at least one serving each daily but sometimes it's hard. There's just so much room in that pouch and I think first and foremost the protein needs to get in there!?! I try to plan my meals and snacks as protein packed as I can but there are times I just want something that is still healthy but not as protein packed as another choice could be. As someone farther out, what's your advice on protein packing vs. balance? And I guess the only other thing I've noticed is that I can eat larger portions and that scares me. Not massive, maybe a 1/3 of a cup instead of 1/4...I was telling my angel Elissa H that last night...how I was freaked out because yesterday I ate 1/3 cup of oatmeal made with Carb Countdown AND a couple slices of banana!!! She put my mind at ease, but I still worry... Kit