It seems there are 2 trains of thought about life with VSG- Deep Thoughts?
There's a third category... people who will do whatever it takes to maximize their honeymoon period and lose as much weight as possible as fast as possible. But don't plan to suffer for the rest of their lives and think that it's silly to think they will never eat pizza ever again or have a cookie ever again.
I'm in that camp. (And I suspect most of the people in the "total overhaul" camp are too, they are just early out and not willing to admit yet that, yes, they are going to eat cookies again.)
I followed my program until I got my weight off. I had dieted enough before that I knew I wouldn't be able to restrict myself for a year or two. I wanted that weight off NOW. I figured maintenance would be the hard part and I wanted to get there and get started on it ASAP.
However, even though I kept my carbs to under 40g a day and my calories to under 800 and got in 80 g of protein a day, it's not like I *never* had pizza or cookies or ice cream in that time. But I could eat so little early out that "pizza" was just the toppings off the pizza (no room for the crust) and cookies was more like cookie and maybe only part of one if it was a big cookie. Because I had to get that protein in to heal and have the energy I wanted to have. So there just wasn't a lot of room for other crap.
Did I feel deprived during that time? Hell no! I had my tiny treats once in a blue moon and I wasn't really hungry for most of that period anyway.
That's the great thing about the honeymoon period. You can eat healthy and develop new habits and learn to love exercise and it's all so damn easy compared to dieting pre-op. And, then, when it's time to maintain, you can slowly add things back in and figure out what your trigger foods are and what you can and can't live with.
The way I look at it is: I'm going to live another 30 years, I hope, at least. So thinking I'm not going to eat junk food or have days of less than optimal eating in that time is just silly. OTOH, I'm going to live another 30 years! So I think I can be strict with myself for 6 months without it being a big deal. It's just 6 months, maybe 12 if you have a lot to lose. It's *nothing* in the greater scheme of things.
Plus, it sets you up really well for the rest of your life. I found a lot of foods I "loved" pre-op, I don't love any more. If I hadn't given them up for a while, I might never have figured that out. Your tastes often change after surgery, for the better, but you have to let them. Your whole life can change, for the better, if you let it. It's not just going to happen, IME, you have to be open to it and that includes trying things you don't think you can do for the rest of your life -- like eating low carb -- and working out -- and then finding out, hey, I kind of like this. This is how I want to live the rest of my life. Imagine that!
I'm in that camp. (And I suspect most of the people in the "total overhaul" camp are too, they are just early out and not willing to admit yet that, yes, they are going to eat cookies again.)
I followed my program until I got my weight off. I had dieted enough before that I knew I wouldn't be able to restrict myself for a year or two. I wanted that weight off NOW. I figured maintenance would be the hard part and I wanted to get there and get started on it ASAP.
However, even though I kept my carbs to under 40g a day and my calories to under 800 and got in 80 g of protein a day, it's not like I *never* had pizza or cookies or ice cream in that time. But I could eat so little early out that "pizza" was just the toppings off the pizza (no room for the crust) and cookies was more like cookie and maybe only part of one if it was a big cookie. Because I had to get that protein in to heal and have the energy I wanted to have. So there just wasn't a lot of room for other crap.
Did I feel deprived during that time? Hell no! I had my tiny treats once in a blue moon and I wasn't really hungry for most of that period anyway.
That's the great thing about the honeymoon period. You can eat healthy and develop new habits and learn to love exercise and it's all so damn easy compared to dieting pre-op. And, then, when it's time to maintain, you can slowly add things back in and figure out what your trigger foods are and what you can and can't live with.
The way I look at it is: I'm going to live another 30 years, I hope, at least. So thinking I'm not going to eat junk food or have days of less than optimal eating in that time is just silly. OTOH, I'm going to live another 30 years! So I think I can be strict with myself for 6 months without it being a big deal. It's just 6 months, maybe 12 if you have a lot to lose. It's *nothing* in the greater scheme of things.
Plus, it sets you up really well for the rest of your life. I found a lot of foods I "loved" pre-op, I don't love any more. If I hadn't given them up for a while, I might never have figured that out. Your tastes often change after surgery, for the better, but you have to let them. Your whole life can change, for the better, if you let it. It's not just going to happen, IME, you have to be open to it and that includes trying things you don't think you can do for the rest of your life -- like eating low carb -- and working out -- and then finding out, hey, I kind of like this. This is how I want to live the rest of my life. Imagine that!
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights
I love this post-- very good discussion here!
I'm still fairly early out so I'm not sure which camp I'll be attending over the long run, or if my camp preference will change with time.
Right now I'm eating mostly low carb, and most of the carbs that I do eat come from dairy, fruits and veggies. But I do have occasional "party" foods, and I do eat one or two pieces of chocolate almost every day.
I was never one for moderation before this surgery, but I just put too darn much at risk to not do it now. Plus, my smaller stomach makes it a lot easier... for while I still might be able to shove in lots more, especially of the slider foods that I occasionally will have, my stomach somehow has a new connection with my brain. Not just that "I'm full or satisfied" connection, because with garbage or "party" foods that doens't happen with me. It's more of a "cut this **** out, you've had enough!" connection. It's amazing. I get to taste what I want to taste, and my brain and stomach work in concert to help me decide that just a few pieces of whatever it is I'm eating is enough. I don't need to finish the bag/bowl/package/dish.
And exercise is my friend. I also understand that the carbs and fats that I do consume are all right as at present I'm doing between 3-7 hours of moderate physical exercise every week. I'm doing hard cardio, some light weight lifting for my arms/legs, and I'm training for a 5K (the first of many I hope to do!).
Sooo... while I don't really have a finite answer, I guess, I would like to say that whatever camp it is I'm attending right now is a blast. I'm having the time of my life and can't wait to continue the party. :)
I'm still fairly early out so I'm not sure which camp I'll be attending over the long run, or if my camp preference will change with time.
Right now I'm eating mostly low carb, and most of the carbs that I do eat come from dairy, fruits and veggies. But I do have occasional "party" foods, and I do eat one or two pieces of chocolate almost every day.
I was never one for moderation before this surgery, but I just put too darn much at risk to not do it now. Plus, my smaller stomach makes it a lot easier... for while I still might be able to shove in lots more, especially of the slider foods that I occasionally will have, my stomach somehow has a new connection with my brain. Not just that "I'm full or satisfied" connection, because with garbage or "party" foods that doens't happen with me. It's more of a "cut this **** out, you've had enough!" connection. It's amazing. I get to taste what I want to taste, and my brain and stomach work in concert to help me decide that just a few pieces of whatever it is I'm eating is enough. I don't need to finish the bag/bowl/package/dish.
And exercise is my friend. I also understand that the carbs and fats that I do consume are all right as at present I'm doing between 3-7 hours of moderate physical exercise every week. I'm doing hard cardio, some light weight lifting for my arms/legs, and I'm training for a 5K (the first of many I hope to do!).
Sooo... while I don't really have a finite answer, I guess, I would like to say that whatever camp it is I'm attending right now is a blast. I'm having the time of my life and can't wait to continue the party. :)
~~Emily~~
Most Active
Recent Topics
