Optifast questions

I had the nutritionist class where they let you sample the optifast.  YUCK!  Please tell me the ways to improve it really work.  It was seriously some of the nastiest tasting stuff I have ever put in my mouth!

Also the Nutritionist said I would be able to do all my regular things like go to the gym.  But then I figured out that it is only 900 cals a day. I know from when I was running before (and trying to lose weight I cannot do it for under 1100 cals a day)  I do not think I will be able to bike to work, then bike to the gym, lift, and bike home 3 days a week on top of just regularly biking to work.

Is it worth bringing this up on my one on one meeting with the nutritionist or just assume I will have to take a break from the gym and maybe have to drive to work during the optifast weeks?

As for the Optifast, there are a lot of things you can add to improve the taste.  Also, the amount of water and temperature will change the flavour as well.  Check out the "Surviving Opti" thread in the Ontario Recipes Forum.  There are lots of ideas there.

As for the activity, you can talk to the nutritionist (who won't give you any more calories) but I'd try to do what you can.  Your body will tell you what you can and can't do.

Cathy

Make sure to drink the optifast in a container with a lid -- it blocks the aroma...which I agree, is terrible.  Then add various flavours.  I liked a bit of peppermint extract in the chocolate, and different things in the vanilla (like cardamom or banana extract).

As for the calories, you would be surprised how much energy is released once your fat stores start releasing some of their energy (once you're in ketosis).  You definitely won't convince the nurse to give you more calories, but don't despair and play it by ear.  The first two or three days might be tough, but after that, you should be fine.

Good luck!

DD

Thanks for the tip.  I don't think I could do the chocolate (I don't like chocolate really)

I do know about ketosis.  I try to eat keto on a regular basis so I know what being in ketosis is like.  Which is why when I was running it wasn't that I was hungry my body just couldn't run on so little fuel.  I kept feeling light headed and like I was going to faint.  To be fair making my fat tush go 5-8 k was HARD lol.  I can't wait to run again!  I had to stop as my ankles couldn't take the weight.

I gave up my crossfit classes because I knew I wouldn't have the energy, and they always make me so hungry!

Depending on far your commute is I would still try to bike to work, (I usually walk 5 kms a day)  But the lifting weights and actual workout my not be reasonable.

Overall I didn't mind Opti, but if you are going to try different flavours I would recommend making small samples. I thought I would love coconut extract in the chocolate and it was horrible. I can't imagine if I had had to drink a whole shake worth. I ended up drinking chocolate plain and vanilla with sf red raspberry torani syrup.

I added lots of decaf coffee crystals to cut the sweetness.  A magic bullet and lots of ice also helped.

As for calories and exercise, you will be consuming far fewer calories once you have had your surgery and this will continue for a good many months post WLS.  You will be expected to exercise once you get approval from your team after surgery and most likely you will be exercising on 600-800 calories a day.   This is all part of the process.  I was told not to exceed 800 calories in the losing phase, and to keep exercising.  Make sure that you meet your protein goals once you exercise post-op.  That will help you preserve muscle.

There is a section in Ontario Recipes for OPTI