Do we really need to eat?

Hi everyone.  I haven't been available much lately.  We've been super slammed at work.  I am so ready for a long weekend! My busy-ness has really been the reason for this post.  I've been on the road a lot and have simply forgotten to eat.  I do get at least one meal in a day, usually dinner.  I've been getting in nearly 50 ozs of fluids and some of it is protein shake.  I get my vitamins and such in too.  I feel great!  Better than I have ever felt.  My energy level has sky-rocketed!  I walk every chance I get, even parking further out at my destinations so I can get more steps in.  My only complaint is not sleeping well but I think it's just stress from the busy-ness.  We have a lot of resting on this one project.

Anyway, I'm wondering if I'm doing myself harm by not getting in more food.  I know the NUT would freak if she knew.  Guess I need the ole "Jet fuel vs Lawn Mower fuel" talk again.

Jacqui

 

Hi Jacqui, I think you already know the answer to your question or you wouldn't be on here asking it.  YES, you need to eat.  You need to make sure you are getting in your protein, you need to increase you fluid intake (you should be getting 64 - 80 oz a day at the minimum) and you need to get your nutrition in thourgh out the day.  The body needs sustained input.  It isn't like your gas tank that you can just fill up when it's empty!  You make it hard for your system to maintain proper blood sugar levels, etc.  and I don't remember if you had an RNY, but if so, it is harder for your body to absorb all of the nutrients you take in, so you can't count on it absorbing everything it needs from just one meal!  You don't have to eat huge amounts, obviously you can't.  But, keep small healthy items handy.  I take string cheese, turkey pepperoni and/or beef jerky in a small insulated bag when I know I'll be on the road or at a location where I might not be able to get the right kinds of foods.  And be sure to keep using the protein shakes, they are a great way to get multiple benefits (protein and liquids).  Your energy level is high right now, but it won't stay that way if you don't take proper care of yourself.  You went to all the trouble to have this surgery, now take the time to care for yourself properly.  You are still worth the extra effort and once it becomes habit to plan what you are going to eat each day, it really isn't that much extra effort.  You just need to learn some new habits.  Good luck to you and Merry Christmas.

You may feel great now, but you will start feeling tired and worn down if you don't eat. Eat to live. You need protein. You need vitamins. If you don't get what you need through food, your body will take it from itself. You don't want to do damage to your muscles (namely yor heart) by not eating. 

Yes eat at the levels you are supposed to.  Protein is muscle and your body will eat away at muscle before fat so please keep the protein up. I know it is weird to be told to eat more.  I go duh!   I realize after the pod bod test that I need to keep the protein and will weigh more but it is muscle.  I can go from 12% body fat to 9% and only lose 8 lbs but there is a muscle gain. I know you know God so put Him in charge He will reveal to you the times to feast.   E

Jacqui, Everyone has already told you about the harmful effects physically of not getting in your 3 squares a day...as well as enough protein and water (these are two separate things..think back to when you were in the hospital post-op...you marked on your chart everytime you drank 1 oz of water or crystal light for your fluids..the containers of protein drink they brought you was recorded separately.).  Please discuss that part of it with your nut...ok? They could have always changed the way they look at things in 3 years...so do ask them. Also, ask her about how many calories, grams of protein, oz of water, grams of carbs/fiber/fat that you should be getting in at your stage. Use SparkPeople.com or another similar program to help track what you are really getting in. We tend to think we're getting in more/less than reality. In your case, you KNOW you're getting in less than you should so use this as a way to try to improve on it each day till you get it to where it should be. The first year you are post-op is also called the honeymoon stage. You will pretty much lose weight no matter what you do. After that? The honeymoon is over and you have better had developed some good, healthy lifestyle habits or you will either stall big-time or regain the weight. I lose weight best when I eat well. If I don't eat well, my weight stalls! Thanksgiving? We felt like we ate like little piggies! Bill & I both lost weight the next day! Me, 3 lbs, Bill, 5 lbs. Typically, we don't eat enough. And when you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode and refuses to release any weight. It maintains itself by using up your muscles.  So...get your 3 meals in a day. Even if it's a few cheese sticks...anything high in protein! Your body will thank you for it by being healthier and by losing weight better..now..and 3 yrs from now. Sherri