How 'bout this for a topic?

Hi Kids! These things I know about WLS - We are all different. Our procedures although some are similar are also different. We react differently to what we take in. So,,,, What works for you? I have been getting a few emails and a couple of calls lately about plateaus, constipation, gas, screamers, cramps muscle owies and the like and I figure we have a pretty big data base. My biggest questons are plateaus and keeping my weight stable. Here goes my three cents - When I was on a plateau I would up the water, protein and walking. I wouldn't try to lower cals - I would just replace some of them with better protein and I always jump started my metabolism early in the morning. Keeping my weight stable has been a challenge. I lose quickly if I don't keep the carbs to at least 30 grams a day. I will gain some but a lot of the time it's water. My work out is highly ritualized and my eating habits are just that - habits now. What do you do as a bariatric to make it happen? Now don't feel bad if you can't contribute something. we all hit bumps and that's ok. see if something that is posted might help you and if it does let everyone know so they can try it if they need to. kp @ goal

such a teacher. oy!

C'mon schmeckle, give us something to nosh. kp @ goy

What helps me is I have to know how much of what is passing through my lips. I still weigh, and measure everything. I count my protein, calories, fats, and carbs. If something has more than 3 grs. of sugar it stays on the store shelf, and out of my cart. I make sure I always have a bottle of water with me, and that I'm sipping on it. I have to keep a real eye on my carbs. When I was in my plateau I found out carbs were the culprit. I weigh myself twice a month on the same scale. I am happy to see a pretty good loss every couple of weeks, then flucuations every day. I take my vitamins and all that good stuff every day~even the actigal. Norvasc makes actigal taste like a lik-a -stik. LOL. Exercise is a must to take advantage of that 6 month time frame of rapid weight loss. I hope this helps someone. I have been having some pretty bad leg cramps, and headaches too. I've heard thats from low potassium~Yes, no, maybe? God bless you all, Annette

Thanks so much for posting this. I am going pay special attention to this because as stated the other night I need all the help I can get. The only other thing that might work for me is to trade bodies with you for about 3 months to get it back on track . Seriously I think we all struggle with this. I do know upping the protein and water does work, it's just getting the mind set to do it. That is my biggest struggle is knowing what works but sticking to it to actually do it! Ok here are a couple of things I have saved across the ways to try. One was from Jenny Fox and the other I found from the main message board. One Week Induction Diet 1. 8oz protien drink 3x a day 2. 4oz of meat, chicken or fish 3x a day 3. Use extra virgin olive oil to cook your meat, chicken or fish 4. 3 - 1in cubes of cheese of your choice. 5. at least 64 oz of water a day 6. It recommends centrum silver, but I would use the vitimins you are already useing. twice a day. How to break a plateau #1 - Do this for 10 days to break a plateau #2 - Drink 2 quarts of water a day #3 - You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamins/minerals supplements each day #4 - You may consume up to 3 oz of the following high protein foods, 5x a day beef pork chicken turkey lamb fish eggs low fat cheese cottage cheese plain yogurt or artificially sweetened (?) peanut butter beans/legumes You may also have: sugar free popsicles tea or coffee sugar free soda sugar free jello broths/bullion (sp?) crystal light drinks #5 - If it's not on the list, you can't have it for 10 days!!!! #6 - Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 mins of exercise daily Which one do you think is better? I need to go back on one of these to detox myself from the bad carbs I have gotten into. Any input would be appreciated. Wow this has to be the most I have ever posted. Do I get a prize?? Hugs Palomine, Connie

Hey Connie, How are those Texans treating you????? Good I hope. Anyway I think that either one of these diets will work for a short period. I don't think you would want to do them for more then a week or so, because it isn't well balanced, but It will help to clean the "junk" carbs out of your system. It usually take at least 72hrs for our body's to rid it self of things in our systems. Good luck with it and let us know how it worked for you. God Bless---Toni

You get a prize just for working "Virgin" into this thread. I think anything is good as long as it's a change. Our bodies get used to and adapt so if you alter the routine enough things will go your way. I like the going back to the start diet with protein shakes. kp @ goal

KP, I don't really have anything new to add. Success is really all about creating a new lifestyle and staying with it. Now, that being said, I personally have not done well with that this winter, but am remotivating and and going back to the basics. I keep reminding myself that all MY body really needs is protein drinks, vitamins/iron, and water to thrive....anything else really isn't necessary and much of it is actually harmful, and not "fuel" at all. I would never dream of dumping sugar or any "non-fuel" substance into the gas tank of my car, so why do I do it to my body? Stupid, really. Like you, I had to add carbs to stop losing, which was fine for several months...until I allowed it to get out of control and started allowing bad habits to creep into my life. So, it's all about fueling the bod properly!! It works best to very regimented...that way nothing falls between the cracks over the long haul. Kathy

THAT"S IT!!!! Is it me or is every day a process? I found that spreading it out evenly all day keeps me on track but my day is so regimented anyway I really can't fall off the wagon. Even my students know when I am going to be refueling. They know where and when to find me at protein bar time. They come for help every time right at the perfect moment - when I'm chomppin and chewin to oblivion. You ROCK!!! kp @ goal

ok here is what works for me when i wake up the first thing i do is make a protein shake. that usually keeps me full for a while. I may eat an egg for breakfast, then the rest of the day is basicly protein . I eat protein first, fruit or veggies next, and usually i am too full for carbs like potatoes, i may get in a few bites. I never eat fast food, pizza, hot dogs , none of that. I eat nothing that is breaded or fried in grease. I don't eat chips, maybe a cracker here and there. I keep sf popsicles, fudgsicles, and kool aid in the house at all times. No sugar at all. I do find that i love to eat homemade soups, like curry chicken. I hardly eat breat. I take my vitamins every single day, exercise every day, and drink a minimum of 80 ounces of water. I also have a protein shake before bed. My kids eat pretty much what i do, there's nothing wrong with them eating healthy too. Hugs Linda