Poll: Do you plan your eating for the day or "go with the flow"?

Are you a planner or a floater? Some folks seem to have mapped out their eating for the day before it begins. I've never really done that and am curious to see if it helps you stay away from those extra calories that seem to "sneeK" in during the day. Elesha

I plan my day the night before and it really helps me stay on track. I also try to eat around the same times each day which was a tip from my surgeon and nutritionist and that helps me too. I have kept a food journal ever since I had surgery so I have filled up quite a few. And looking back, on the days I was rushed or got in too late the night before to plan, I noticed that I get in several more calories and not as many of my vitamins and protein on those days. So on floating days I would say it made a diff of a few hundred calories sometimes even. So I make sure I make trips to the grocery store as needed to keep what I need and I plan the day before. You can call me at 9 or so at night and I have already written down in my journal the next days meals of breakfast, snack, lunch, and snack. Dinner sometimes I plan spur of the moment but I always have healthy options available to choose from in the freezer. That works for me. It may not work for everybody and going with the flow may work better for some people. But with my food addiction and binge eating personality floating or going with the flow just gives me a temptation to misbehave and triggers binges and bad food choices. Melissa

Thanks Melissa, Your approach is definatley working for you and I think I'll try it too. I also believe I have food addiction tendancies. I MUST get back on track. I went shopping yesterday and it was the first time post WLS, I DIDN'T enjoy it. I can tell I've put on those 10lbs in my hips and thighs as size 10s looked...well, let's just say "Wrong" and I bought size 12s instead. They were too big in the waist but fit my hips. I seem to be having more trouble in the third year than any of the previous ones. Maybe I just have no "umph" due to the low iron but I'm not sure. Have you found that the farther you get post, the more difficult staying motivated becomes? I wish there were more 3+years WLSers nearby to see if these things I'm experiencing are common or not. I'm glad to have you to talk to about these longer term ups and downs. Elesha

I do find that it is harder the farther post op you get. I don't think it is a motivational problem because I do remember what it was like to be obese and I know I don't want to ever go back there. That is the motivation I need. But I think what it is, is that we start to feel more normal with a more normal stomach which takes the emphasis off of us being different and needing to do different. But we are not normal and our stomachs will never be normal and we really won't ever absorb normally either. But the farther out I get the harder it is to remember and stay focused on that because I do feel more normal and life is going on around me like normal whereas right after surgery you can't eat certain things you have to do this and that so life isn't normal for a while. But the farther out you get the more normal feeling things become thus setting the stage for us to slide because RNY is not at the top of every thought anymore. Does that make sense or am I crazy? I know what I am trying to say but it doesn't seem to come out like I want it to LOL. So anyway I still keep my journal and keep a little book in my purse about post op life for whatever stage I am in and I try to keep RNY in my mind all the time so I can do like I am supposed to. The journal and planning and waking up every morning with a prayer asking for help in remembering I am a food addict with a binge problem and asking the Lord to carry me if necessary to get me through the day has been my life line so far and it works. I just hope I can continue to fight those behaviors and tendencies successfully. I have had a hard time the last few weeks and have really struggled. Things seem better this week. We are just going to have to lean on each other. I have heard that support is the key for long term success with this surgery. Those active in a support group or who have friends that can understand and be supportive are more successful than those who don't. We will make it. Melissa

Thanks, my friend. You're right, we will make it! I know what you mean about not being able to express some things. I often think "I can't understand how I'm feeling so how can I explain it to someone else"? Sharing the struggle with others does help at the least knowing everyone else isn't perfect either is encouraging. I'm realizing that I've been neglecting several areas of my own personal life. I seem to take good care of those I love but let myself slide. That is an old habit that has re-emerged. As a first step, I'll focus on daily meal planning & journaling. Elesha

I know what you mean about taking care of others first. That is a problem I have always had. Before surgery, I would start a diet or exercise program and it would fizzle because everyone in my house needed something or had something going on they needed tranported to in the mommy cab. So I would always neglect my needs and take care of everyone else. I slip into that from time to time even now but not near as bad. The way I figure it, if I don't take care of my health and my needs I won't be here to take care of them. I have to remind myself of that from time to time when I start to neglect the exercise routine or do quick dinner fixes on the go. Daily meal planning and journaling sounds like a great place to start. I hear from a birdie you are talented in the kickboxing aerobics and really enjoyed the class. You may want to get you a tape for home so on those hectic days you absolutely can't drive to the gym and squeeze in a workout you can do it at home. That is what I do. I have a tape for those days I have time crunch issues and don't need to drive to workout. I love taebo and kickboxing aerobics. It is a big stress release to me with all the kicking and punching. It really helps curb my need to binge because I get rid of the stress a different way. Good luck, Melissa

I am a floater and for me it isn't working anymore. I have not done too good the past 3 weeks at all. I have been alot busier lately and it is affecting my eating really really bad. I need to try Melissa's approach and maybe it will help me too. Thanks for the advice Becky

I too am a floater and I dont like that. I am also going to try the planning ahead for the next day. I am not going to start that though until Monday when life isnt as hectic... I will make myself make my lunch and snacks the night before and I will stick to it no matter what. We need to keep each other active and keep each other from gaining that weight back. I worry about it alot and it scares me. Esp on days when I seem to graze alot. I have been grazing alot more than I should and even with the healthier stuff I tend to find it appealing. Granted its healthy and good for us but anything excessively eaten can be detrimantal. I have to tell myself this... Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt. I am quite concerned about my eating habits lately. I am gonna fix it though. If I get fat again its nobodys fault but my own. I have been given a 2nd chance and I hope and pray I can do this and maintain. If I didnt drop another pound I would be happy but if I gain past 160 I will go crazy.. I firmly believe that.

Hey Christine, I agree, those grazing calories add up without you noticing. I was shocked at how many calories a handful of trail mix contained. I've been grabbing a handful several times a day thinking I was doing my iron count a favor by eating raisins & nuts. NOT! No wonder my thighs are bulging! I think we all should keep the attitude of a ceiling weight. If I allowed myself to be content at 175 instead of 165, soon it would be 180, 185...you know the drill. You're right that it is nobody's fault but our own if we waste this 2nd chance. I'm glad you are working out with Melissa. Sorry I turned out to be a dud in the exercise motivation part! I hope to have more energy soon and get back to the gym when the kids go to school. Elesha

You didnt turn into a dud... I know its hard with 4 kids. I only have 1 and it is hard... Dont apologize. There will be more days. I would like to get to where I work out twice a week with you at the Hattiesburg Y and twice a week with Melissa at the Petal Y... That way I can get in the exercise 4 days a week. My daughter loves to play with your kids and Melissas kids so she gets the best of both worlds too... I am ready for school to start back too... I am tired of paying for daycare. Will you be at the meeting on Monday night?