MY STALL
Alright, so I've been having a lot of issues with food and my general eating habits lately. I have been eating constantly. I'm not eating anything "bad" per se, but I've been eating. I don't seem to get full and I am always in the kitchen. THUS, I have been stuck at the same weight for at least 3 months. I guess all the stress in my life has brought back old habits.
Went to the surgeon 2 weeks ago and he had me write down 3 days of food before I saw him so he could analyze. Then, he told me I was eating too much cheese and he doesn't like the Boca type burgers, and he doesn't like chili and he doesn't like anything I'm eating for one reason or another.. okay, new plan. Come back in 2 weeks after changing up my diet.
For the past week or so, I can't stop eating. The past 3 days I wrote down what I was eating and of course that makes me a LITTLE more accountable for what I am doing, as long as I write it down. Go in today, still the same weight. Of course I am, I can't stop eating. I'm not full and I'm always hungry.
SOOOOO, he wants me to go back to the bariatric diet, as he calls it. This is different from the 5 day pouch test, in that he wants me to do 2 days of CLEAR liquids in a row, then 5 days of good quality proteins. Then, the next week do the same thing. Then for the next 2 weeks, do 1 day of clears and 6 days of good proteins. Same concept as the 5 day--to shrink and retrain the pouch, except less food and shorter amount of time.
Guess I have to restock the jello, broth and SF popsicles.. and crystal light. I think I'll be drinking a lot of decaf tea and coffee since it's kinda cold for the popsicles.
I'm thinking that it might be easier for me to do the liquids on the weekends because I don't tend to get to the gym on those days. I am going to need a lot of help and arse kicking. I already told Siehara that I have to do it, so I know she will watch me like a hawk---another reason to do it on the weekend, so she is here looking at my every move. I guess I'll do my first two days Saturday and Sunday..
Wish me luck!! I have about 40 lbs to go and I don't want to blow it now!
Went to the surgeon 2 weeks ago and he had me write down 3 days of food before I saw him so he could analyze. Then, he told me I was eating too much cheese and he doesn't like the Boca type burgers, and he doesn't like chili and he doesn't like anything I'm eating for one reason or another.. okay, new plan. Come back in 2 weeks after changing up my diet.
For the past week or so, I can't stop eating. The past 3 days I wrote down what I was eating and of course that makes me a LITTLE more accountable for what I am doing, as long as I write it down. Go in today, still the same weight. Of course I am, I can't stop eating. I'm not full and I'm always hungry.
SOOOOO, he wants me to go back to the bariatric diet, as he calls it. This is different from the 5 day pouch test, in that he wants me to do 2 days of CLEAR liquids in a row, then 5 days of good quality proteins. Then, the next week do the same thing. Then for the next 2 weeks, do 1 day of clears and 6 days of good proteins. Same concept as the 5 day--to shrink and retrain the pouch, except less food and shorter amount of time.
Guess I have to restock the jello, broth and SF popsicles.. and crystal light. I think I'll be drinking a lot of decaf tea and coffee since it's kinda cold for the popsicles.
I'm thinking that it might be easier for me to do the liquids on the weekends because I don't tend to get to the gym on those days. I am going to need a lot of help and arse kicking. I already told Siehara that I have to do it, so I know she will watch me like a hawk---another reason to do it on the weekend, so she is here looking at my every move. I guess I'll do my first two days Saturday and Sunday..
Wish me luck!! I have about 40 lbs to go and I don't want to blow it now!
My tracker
hers 
Lisa,
Hugs, honey!
You CAN and WILL do this and will get back into the driver's seat. Don't worry about the scale so much - have your measurements changed in that time? (From the outside, it sure LOOKS like they have) In that case, you might be seeing the balance in your body change from fat to muscle. But you are feeling out of control of your eating, so it really doesn't matter what the scale is saying!
First - yes, you need to do the eating plan, but it doesn't sound like you need it so much for the physical as to get back into the mental discipline. You mention stress - and you mention that you're reverting back to "old habits." Now's the time to get thee to a therapist and/or to support group and/or on the phone with any number of us and/or leaders... To succeed long term, you're going to need to get in touch with why you are using food to numb yourself to the stresses. You need to figure out the triggers for you to eat "unplanned" and not in control.
I'm also going to challenge you on some things you said (in love, of course) to try and get you thinking about it. First "I don't get full and I am always in the kitchen"... WHY are you always in the kitchen? If that's a danger zone, stay out of it and only allow yourself in there during planned eating times. And that's not an excuse to stash snacks elsewhere, either!
Second, "I'm not full and I'm always hungry." Are you, really? Hungry? Are you certain that it's physical hunger and not head hunger? or stress hunger? looking for comfort? Do you REALLY want to feel "FULL"? one of the things Barix stresses is that your goal should be to eat until you're "just satisfied" but not until you're "full" - because our perception of what "full" means has been distorted by years of stuffing ourselves past the point of normal nutritional fullness.
The other question is whether you're getting in enough calories to support your exercise level. you seem to be doing a lot at the gym - that drives additional caloric needs and your body can go into its "starvation/conservation" mode if you're not giving it enough extra cals to support that extra exercise.
Finally - are you consuming specific foods that are triggers for you personally, thus fueling old addictions? (i.e., white flour? fats? pastas? whatever?) If so, that might point to a specific culprit you can eliminate from your diet, which might help get everything else back under control be removing the cravings.
Anyway - hugs again. You know you can call me anytime if you want to talk through any of this. I KNOW you can get through this and get back on track.
Karen
Hugs, honey!
You CAN and WILL do this and will get back into the driver's seat. Don't worry about the scale so much - have your measurements changed in that time? (From the outside, it sure LOOKS like they have) In that case, you might be seeing the balance in your body change from fat to muscle. But you are feeling out of control of your eating, so it really doesn't matter what the scale is saying!
First - yes, you need to do the eating plan, but it doesn't sound like you need it so much for the physical as to get back into the mental discipline. You mention stress - and you mention that you're reverting back to "old habits." Now's the time to get thee to a therapist and/or to support group and/or on the phone with any number of us and/or leaders... To succeed long term, you're going to need to get in touch with why you are using food to numb yourself to the stresses. You need to figure out the triggers for you to eat "unplanned" and not in control.
I'm also going to challenge you on some things you said (in love, of course) to try and get you thinking about it. First "I don't get full and I am always in the kitchen"... WHY are you always in the kitchen? If that's a danger zone, stay out of it and only allow yourself in there during planned eating times. And that's not an excuse to stash snacks elsewhere, either!
Second, "I'm not full and I'm always hungry." Are you, really? Hungry? Are you certain that it's physical hunger and not head hunger? or stress hunger? looking for comfort? Do you REALLY want to feel "FULL"? one of the things Barix stresses is that your goal should be to eat until you're "just satisfied" but not until you're "full" - because our perception of what "full" means has been distorted by years of stuffing ourselves past the point of normal nutritional fullness.
The other question is whether you're getting in enough calories to support your exercise level. you seem to be doing a lot at the gym - that drives additional caloric needs and your body can go into its "starvation/conservation" mode if you're not giving it enough extra cals to support that extra exercise.
Finally - are you consuming specific foods that are triggers for you personally, thus fueling old addictions? (i.e., white flour? fats? pastas? whatever?) If so, that might point to a specific culprit you can eliminate from your diet, which might help get everything else back under control be removing the cravings.
Anyway - hugs again. You know you can call me anytime if you want to talk through any of this. I KNOW you can get through this and get back on track.
Karen
On November 12, 2009 at 8:07 PM Pacific Time, kgoeller wrote:
Lisa,Hugs, honey!
You CAN and WILL do this and will get back into the driver's seat. Don't worry about the scale so much - have your measurements changed in that time? (From the outside, it sure LOOKS like they have) In that case, you might be seeing the balance in your body change from fat to muscle. But you are feeling out of control of your eating, so it really doesn't matter what the scale is saying!
First - yes, you need to do the eating plan, but it doesn't sound like you need it so much for the physical as to get back into the mental discipline. You mention stress - and you mention that you're reverting back to "old habits." Now's the time to get thee to a therapist and/or to support group and/or on the phone with any number of us and/or leaders... To succeed long term, you're going to need to get in touch with why you are using food to numb yourself to the stresses. You need to figure out the triggers for you to eat "unplanned" and not in control.
I'm also going to challenge you on some things you said (in love, of course) to try and get you thinking about it. First "I don't get full and I am always in the kitchen"... WHY are you always in the kitchen? If that's a danger zone, stay out of it and only allow yourself in there during planned eating times. And that's not an excuse to stash snacks elsewhere, either!
Second, "I'm not full and I'm always hungry." Are you, really? Hungry? Are you certain that it's physical hunger and not head hunger? or stress hunger? looking for comfort? Do you REALLY want to feel "FULL"? one of the things Barix stresses is that your goal should be to eat until you're "just satisfied" but not until you're "full" - because our perception of what "full" means has been distorted by years of stuffing ourselves past the point of normal nutritional fullness.
The other question is whether you're getting in enough calories to support your exercise level. you seem to be doing a lot at the gym - that drives additional caloric needs and your body can go into its "starvation/conservation" mode if you're not giving it enough extra cals to support that extra exercise.
Finally - are you consuming specific foods that are triggers for you personally, thus fueling old addictions? (i.e., white flour? fats? pastas? whatever?) If so, that might point to a specific culprit you can eliminate from your diet, which might help get everything else back under control be removing the cravings.
Anyway - hugs again. You know you can call me anytime if you want to talk through any of this. I KNOW you can get through this and get back on track.
Karen
I am doing research trying to find a psych who can help me with the eating issues. I was not real fond of the one who gave me the ok to do the surgery so I am hoping to find someone else. I am guessing part of the issue is also my proximity to the kitchen. At least if I worked out of the house, I WOULD only eat what I packed. I have actually thought about asking my boss if it would be possible for me to work in the Allentown office at least once a week, both for the social portion of it, as well as the control portion.
I wish there was a door on the kitchen or that I had a second floor that I worked on. Then, it would be less tempting to cross that threshold into that room. One of my eating triggers is boredom, to go along with the stress. I sit here and work and do not like what I am doing right now, so I cannot focus on what I am doing. That leads me to get up and walk around and before I know it, I'm in the kitchen.
I know that I should not feel "stuffed", but I don't feel satisfied either on many occasions. I think it is my food choices... too many slider foods and not enough solid proteins. Now that I got paid, I am going to go to the grocery store to stock up on my liquids and on good, solid proteins.
As far as getting in enough calories to support my exercise, I have asked this repeatedly of my surgeon and he always tells me I have enough fat stored up to be burned that I don't have to consume extra calories. He has bashed many of my food choices that I think are ok stating that either there are too many calories or too many carbs in them... for example, he told me no more Boca Burgers because of too many carbs. meatballs--what's in them? did you make them? how much fat in the turkey you made them with... etc etc.. He doesn't like protein shakes because of the calories. He basically wants me to eat low fat poultry and fish and eggs.. his theory is if it swims or flies it's ok. AND, it should be cooked very basically with only seasonings and nothing creative for taste. That is really limiting.
It is confusing because I have heard many times that I should be eating enough calories to support the exercise. Also, the protein shakes are important after exercise to refuel the muscles. No wonder I am confused.
Trigger foods.. oh trigger foods.. sweets.. apparently even those made with artificial sweeteners, are wreaking havoc on me. I HAVE TO STOP EATING THEM. I think even the ricotta with SF pudding is starting me off on the wrong foot. I also wonder if even just the crystal lite is bad for this?? I can't seem to get it in my head that the treats are just treats and not okay to eat in large amounts, so I need to just stay away from them.
I need to switch to savory stuff. I DON'T do pasta, I DON'T do rice, I DON'T do real sugar. I am still afraid of those foods. PEANUT BUTTER is the enemy. I love it and I can eat it by the spoonful. I just used up the last of it and WILL NOT buy anymore. Thank goodness I don't have to pack lunches for Siehara so she won't miss it.
Thanks so much for asking all the questions, Karen. It really made me stop and think about the answers and now I know what some of the issues are. I am going to print your questions and my answers and put them on the wall as a reminder for me.
My tracker
hers
Lisa,
I know we usually tell people "ask your surgeon" as the stock answer to plan questions... BUT... I think you should be talking with a good nutritionist who's familiar with WLS issues. Because I've been told repeatedly (by my surgeon and 3 different nutritionists and the personal trainer at my gym and on sparkpeople) that as you increase calorie-burning exercise you also MUST increase calories and should be moving to the higher side of your protein range. Yes, you're burning fat more, but you also have to have a certain intake to support the changes in your metabolism. Given the consistency of message from all these sources (many of whom don't know each other at all), I tend to feel like that's pretty reliable info.
So a couple of thoughts regarding the "kitchen problem"... Can you put SOME type of barrier across the kitchen entry? A screen, a bead curtain, even a chair? Something that you'll be forced to move in order to access the area, which makes it a conscious choice to go there?
Alternatively, if you work on a laptop, can you go to your local library or starbucks or borders to work so that you're removed from the environment, at least for a while?
Finally, as to food choices and preparation, forgive me for saying this but it's YOUR tool and YOUR life. Yes, you should be guided by your surgeon's plan, but it's by no means the only plan out there, so if it's not working for you, or is actively causing you to sabotage yourself out of sheer boredom, then you may need to find another eating plan that is WLS-appropriate and that you can comply with. Having said that, he's right to be asking the questions about things like the meatballs and what's in them - they can be little fat-balls if you're not careful, but there are some really good ways to prepare WLS-friendly meatballs that are very tasty. As to Boca Burgers and Gardenburgers, yes, they're yummy, but they are pretty much ALL carbs - and if your eating goal is to first get your protein in, they aren't going to do that for you.
Karen
I know we usually tell people "ask your surgeon" as the stock answer to plan questions... BUT... I think you should be talking with a good nutritionist who's familiar with WLS issues. Because I've been told repeatedly (by my surgeon and 3 different nutritionists and the personal trainer at my gym and on sparkpeople) that as you increase calorie-burning exercise you also MUST increase calories and should be moving to the higher side of your protein range. Yes, you're burning fat more, but you also have to have a certain intake to support the changes in your metabolism. Given the consistency of message from all these sources (many of whom don't know each other at all), I tend to feel like that's pretty reliable info.
So a couple of thoughts regarding the "kitchen problem"... Can you put SOME type of barrier across the kitchen entry? A screen, a bead curtain, even a chair? Something that you'll be forced to move in order to access the area, which makes it a conscious choice to go there?
Alternatively, if you work on a laptop, can you go to your local library or starbucks or borders to work so that you're removed from the environment, at least for a while?
Finally, as to food choices and preparation, forgive me for saying this but it's YOUR tool and YOUR life. Yes, you should be guided by your surgeon's plan, but it's by no means the only plan out there, so if it's not working for you, or is actively causing you to sabotage yourself out of sheer boredom, then you may need to find another eating plan that is WLS-appropriate and that you can comply with. Having said that, he's right to be asking the questions about things like the meatballs and what's in them - they can be little fat-balls if you're not careful, but there are some really good ways to prepare WLS-friendly meatballs that are very tasty. As to Boca Burgers and Gardenburgers, yes, they're yummy, but they are pretty much ALL carbs - and if your eating goal is to first get your protein in, they aren't going to do that for you.
Karen
Karen, don't apologize for sharing your knowlege and opinions. That is why I came to you guys for help. I wanted honesty and nothing held back.
I am going to have to look into a nutritionist, too. The one I had to go to pre-op doesn't seem to be around anymore ??? I agree with you about the exercise thing. I've read it here and Rocco has said it, too.
Putting a chair in front of the kitchen door is a great idea. I think I will do that. Unfortunately, I work on a desk top and don't even OWN a laptop to try to get out for a bit. Trust me, that would be the first thing I would do to get out for awhile! Even just to sit outside on nice days would be glorious!
I know that the surgeon should ask me what is in my food, but he seemed to shoot down everything I was eating. I need to make things interesting, but make sure that I don't add too many calorie adding ingredients, I guess. As far as the Boca and Garden burgers, I really thought they were decent protein sources. I'll have to check the labels again and let Siehara eat them, I guess.
Again, no need for forgiveness. I came to you guys for a reason and you are all helping me out tremendously!!
That's why I love you all!
I am going to have to look into a nutritionist, too. The one I had to go to pre-op doesn't seem to be around anymore ??? I agree with you about the exercise thing. I've read it here and Rocco has said it, too.
Putting a chair in front of the kitchen door is a great idea. I think I will do that. Unfortunately, I work on a desk top and don't even OWN a laptop to try to get out for a bit. Trust me, that would be the first thing I would do to get out for awhile! Even just to sit outside on nice days would be glorious!
I know that the surgeon should ask me what is in my food, but he seemed to shoot down everything I was eating. I need to make things interesting, but make sure that I don't add too many calorie adding ingredients, I guess. As far as the Boca and Garden burgers, I really thought they were decent protein sources. I'll have to check the labels again and let Siehara eat them, I guess.
Again, no need for forgiveness. I came to you guys for a reason and you are all helping me out tremendously!!
That's why I love you all!
My tracker
hers
ok - so 2 things...
1. Call a hospital local to you (preferably one that has a bariatric program) and ask about their staff nutritionists and any services they provide. I was able to find a great nutritionist that way, it got billed through my insurance because the hospital was a participating provider, and it went very smoothly. Alternatively, you can call your insurance or look up online to see nutritionists who participate with them, then call and see if any are WLS-experienced...
2. Garden burgers and Boca burgers (i love them both) have some protein, but you can boost that by adding a slice of lowfat cheese or soy cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt mixed with some salsa as a topping! Just remember to watch and balance the carbs from the burgers with the protein...
ok - i lied... 3 things...
3. If most of your work is online, maybe think about getting an inexpensive netbook for yourself for hanukkah... or just 'cause you deserve it. I'm seeing them in the high 200 - low 300 range. Could probably be written off as a business expense, actually... hmm... Split your day so the online stuff you can do outside or in a cafe, and the stuff that HAS to be done on the desktop is done in a more "concentrated" way... Just an idea.
Karen
1. Call a hospital local to you (preferably one that has a bariatric program) and ask about their staff nutritionists and any services they provide. I was able to find a great nutritionist that way, it got billed through my insurance because the hospital was a participating provider, and it went very smoothly. Alternatively, you can call your insurance or look up online to see nutritionists who participate with them, then call and see if any are WLS-experienced...
2. Garden burgers and Boca burgers (i love them both) have some protein, but you can boost that by adding a slice of lowfat cheese or soy cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt mixed with some salsa as a topping! Just remember to watch and balance the carbs from the burgers with the protein...
ok - i lied... 3 things...
3. If most of your work is online, maybe think about getting an inexpensive netbook for yourself for hanukkah... or just 'cause you deserve it. I'm seeing them in the high 200 - low 300 range. Could probably be written off as a business expense, actually... hmm... Split your day so the online stuff you can do outside or in a cafe, and the stuff that HAS to be done on the desktop is done in a more "concentrated" way... Just an idea.
Karen
Hang in there! I know in the beginning it seems easy because the weight comes off quickly and it's a new concept.
But continuing with healthy meal plans and so forth, get tougher as time goes on. It's something you have to work at FOREVER.
Good luck and get you head in the right place. You can do it.
But continuing with healthy meal plans and so forth, get tougher as time goes on. It's something you have to work at FOREVER.
Good luck and get you head in the right place. You can do it.
When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila & salt and give me a call!
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