Some resources and links for obesity information, tracking and bariatric surgery...

As they say, knowledge is power so here are some resources and links for those thinking about bariatric surgery...

...sooner or later we are expected to record our meals. This is important for 'counting' calories and maintaining nutrition (how much protein, carbs, fiber, calcium, etc  we consume). I expect most here are using MyFitnessPal. You can sign up from this link (click on MFP) if not a member already.

There is also eaTracker from Dieticians of Canada.  And for those who don't want to use an online meal tracker you can download one for your computer from CNet called Calorie Balance Diet. You can add foods to the database and its stores your data on your computer. Its a bit quirky but works.

The Health Tracker here on ObesityHelp.com is a good resource to record your exercise and activities. It allows you to choose from OH.com's own database, other users' activities or create your own. It also lets you set up favorite activities and exercise 'routines' for quick access.

It will show you your daily cardio, strength and general activities as a percentage 'pie' and totals your calorie expenditure for the day. Both MFP and eaTracker have the same but personally I like the one here as its convenient and does not raise my daily calorie 'ceiling'.

Health Canada Food Guide  - this is what my dietician wants me to follow prior to bariatric surgery - and a list of common Canadian food nutrition: Nutrient values of some common foods. Both are downloadable .pdf files

Even if you haven't been accepted into a bariatric program, its a good idea to ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietician for some nutrition counseling. And to get a membership at a gym or the YMCA or whatever. Its also good to journal what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel while doing so. These are some of the questions the psychologist will ask you.

Get into the habit of sipping lots of water - I use a kitchen timer to remind myself.

Buy a pedometer. Exercise specialists recommend walking 10,000 steps a day. Fit Bit is one used here by many. Its has some nice features. I use a cheap one called the Omron HJ-112CAN. Bought it at London Drugs in Edmonton, though I was told Costco (Edmonton) has them. Its accurate, records steps, distance, calories burned, aerobic calories burned daily for seven days. $30.

Speaking of London Drugs: they seem to have Boost and Ensure on sale from time to time. You may want to stock for when your surgery day approaches, as some surgeons might put you on a pre-op liquid diet to reduce the size of your liver. Plus they  are convenient for a quick protein and carb boost after a workout (NB for workouts the same can be done with chocolate milk or low calorie, high protein and fiber protein bar - even peanut butter and a whole wheat or multigrain cracker/bread - but Boost and Ensure don't require refrigeration).

The Winnipeg Public Library has some good books to borrow: I'm reading Mindful Eating right now and am on the waiting list for Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us  by Michael Moss. Once your accepted into a bariatric program the dietician/psychologist will want you to be mindful of how you eat. The other book discusses how corporate industrial food manufacturers: (everyone from Kraft to McDonalds) tempts (tricks) us into over consumption of their products.

Dr. A.Sharma, one of the founders of the Canadian Obesity Network, blogs here: Dr. Sharma's Obesity Notes . He has good info on everything obesity related.

Another interesting blog is: What's The Skinny? written by two sisters having bariatric surgery.

An excellent book  is The Complete Weight Loss and Surgery Guide & Diet Program by Sue Ekserci RD. This is specifically targeted for those thinking about or having bariatric surgery and includes information about obesity, surgery, nutrition, meal planning and bariatric recipes. You can buy it online from Amazon.ca

Because weight, body image, eating and emotions are so intertwined the Women's Health Clinic has free workshops on such that are open to both women and men.

And finally- come out to the Meet and Greets to get to know and support each other...

Thanks Mike for putting all this info together in one place for us.

Thanks Very Much!

Fatsecret is a great site for food journaling.
They have inspirational, food and exercise challenges. The site is more user friendly than my fitness pal.

Personally I think post bariatric surgery you can use anything you prefer.

I started with eaTracker as that was what the dietician in Winnipeg suggested I use and I really like it a lot, especially as it lists your daily nutrition requirements as a bar graph. This makes it easy to see at a glance if you are meeting all your daily nutrition goals. Also all nutrition data is supplied by the Dieticians of Canada so you minimize errors that creep into user supplied nutrition information.

However I switched to MFP as that was recommended by the Edmonton baraitric program dietician and after all - its their ball and you want to play nice. I don't know about  the others but MFP has a large database (just be careful that the nutrition info you select is accurate - this goes for any meal tracking site that allows user input.) and it allows those with smartphones to download nutrition information right from food labels and restaurant menus (where provided).

BTW except for the Health Tracker, I find OH to be very user unfriendly.