Mixed feelings about 5 Day Pouch Test- Opinions?

I need to buckle down after a recent weight gain and have been reading and reading. I can't decide if I should just go back to the basics? Or if I should do the 5 Day Pouch Test. I do not want to get myself into the diet cycle again. I refuse. But is this a diet? Or just a way to feel in control of the tool again? Is it a necessary jump start for significant weight loss? Or can the same be achieved by going back to the "basics"? Opinions? 

5 day pouch is not a diet -- it is a way to decarb your sytem to help you get back to basics!! I have done it twice when carbs got out of control and it really helped!
Meggie

Rachel, I just posted to your previous post, but would chime in here for a moment too.   Have you already tracked what you're eating to determine where your counts may be off?  For example, do you know that you are eating too few carbs, or are you just looking to get overall food comsumption under control?   Just a suggestion - but before doing anything else, you may want to spend a week logging your food intake to see what you are eating and where the calories are being spent.   It may end up being more of a portion control issue than food type intake.  Happens to many.

Just a thought :)

There is a daily accountability thread that Karla starts and this month it is Meaningful March.

If you aren't sure about whether or not to do the 5-DPT then I would recommend posting EVERYTHING you eat for a day on that thread, including portion sizes, so you can see where your calories are being spent.  And if you ask for opinions on your food intake then the grads would be happy to offer suggestions.

Also - what exercise are you getting in?

I can so see myself in your shoes another year or so down the road so I am hoping you will successful!

Lisa has a very good point.  That said, my personal opinion is that 5DPT is a great thing for getting a handle on portion control as well as carbs.

It so happens I am doing my second 5DPT right now.  I started on Monday, so I am on Day 4.  I had regained six pounds and said HELL no, this is not going to happen to me; time for a reboot and a carb detox!  I have already lost the six pounds plus another one.  I am already feeling satisfied on soooo much less food and feeling the full effect of my pouch again.

5DPT is NOT easy.  It has been all I can do to stick with it, but the results are so amazing, I know it is worth it and take my motivation from that.  The first time I did 5DPT, I was in a state of despair by Day 3.  (Day 3 is nothing but eggs and soft fish.)  I posted here and asked the TMB peeps for advice and encouragement.  They told me -- correctly -- that Day 3 is the hardest day, and then it gets easier.  This time around, I noticed on the 5DPT website that you can make chicken or tuna salad for Day 3, so I made myself some, and it was much more tolerable than just eating tuna out of a can.

In short -- I recommend 5DPT highly.  In addition to its positive physical effects, it helps me psychologically to know I have a specific reboot plan I can follow if I ever stray too far off the straight and narrow.

I had gotten laxed b/c I am 3.5 years out, I had been at that weight for almost 3 years, no problems... right????? Then in the last TWO MONTHS I jumped up 20 lbs!!! What the??? It could be connected to some woman issues I've been having. But it doesn't matter. The weight is here. I had gotten laxed on my WLS rules. So for the last few weeks, I've made sure I've been exercising at least 40 min/day. I have not been snacking. I have been eating very healthily, but I have been eating oatmeal for breakfast and whole wheat pasta in my lunch. I have been eating yogurt and cottage cheese which might be just sliding on through. My calorie count has been around 1500. And results????? Not a pound. So I'm either going to go back to my original diet; basically the day 6+ of the 5 Day Pouch Test, or I'm going to actually do the pouch test with the liquids only, soft protein......I just am afraid I'm dieting if I do this and that I could slow down my metabolism by doing something so drastic. I just want to know if this "test" has any scientific basis.

Don't know if it has a scientific basis or not ... but ... IMHO ... science, schmience.  It works for me.

Is it a "diet" or is it not?  Same answer.  But I cannot believe five days of anything is going to have a permanent effect on metabolic rate.

One thing I can particularly relate to in your post: Just getting "back to basics" does not seem to help me much.  When I get to this point, I need a physical and psychological reboot.  It's a highly individual thing.

hey Rachel..
having the same problem. rolling up on 4 years here in just a few days with a 15lb gain. Mine is med/no sleep related. Doc says dont worry about it, it iwll come off.. and it will. However, i HIGHLY recommend the 5 day pouch test.  I have done it a few times to snap myself outta carb central or just kinda get back in control. HOWEVER, I DO NOT Use any of the soup recipes on her web site. I stick to protein shakes and broth only the first two days. Its not easy but her soup recipes have too many carbs FOR ME!.  Then by day three im much better. Now, i dont usually lose a butt load of weight.. i will loose a few pounds, but i notice the fullness in my pouch again and im back in control and when the 5 days is up, i either continue with day 4 and 5 or im back to more protein focused meals like i should be. 
Hope this helps..
Liz

Ps.. if you are really wanting to do this.. im sure if you make a post, there will be several that will jump on board with you. (like me lol)  Not speaking for her, but Nurse Gina jumped started her 60+lb regain loss by using this and the 10 day pouch test thinggy
best of luck

hijack

Liz do you ever make her soups? I am eating on a pot of pumpkin saug soup right now - I make it about once a month b/c everyone in myhouse loves it esp me!