Snacks

Hello all-

So I noticed that on daily posts about what everyone is eating many of you eat at least 2 snacks.  I am three weeks out and have lost a little over 43 pounds but 27 of that was pre-op.  I feel like I am losing so slowly and I have seen many posts about week 2 and 3 sometimes being slow due to healing after surgery.  My questions (I am really getting around to it...I promise)......#1 I am only doing 3 meals and no snacks...do I need to have snacks?  My surgeon had one snack in the diet plan but I understood that as optional.  #2 I am following the plan exactly.....I am worried about the slow weight loss!!  Be patient or worry?  

You've lost 16 pounds in three weeks.  That is more than 5 pounds per week.  That is GREAT weight loss and not slow at all.  You will have slow weeks, weeks when you lose a big chunk of weight, and weeks when you lose no weight.  Try not to stress about this.  It's the way we ALL lose weight.  Just keep following the plan and the weight go.  If the numbers stress you out, stay off the scale.

I eat 2 small planned snacks daily and 3 meals.  I think it helps me stay on track.  I eat about every 3 or 4 hours.  If I get hungry between times, I look at the clock and tell myself to wait until the next meal, and that meal is never more than a few hours away.  Anyone can wait a few hours before they eat again.  It works for me.

Thanks so much.  I appreciate the info and words of encouragement.  I think sometimes I just need perspective.  

We all tend to lose quickly the first 2-3 weeks of any major weight loss effort because our bodies will first use up our short term reserves of glycogen (basically stored carbs) which burn more quickly than our long term fat stores (on the order of only 2000 calories per pound lost vs. 3500 calories per pound for fat,) It is also common for people to stall and pause after that initial glycogen-fueled loss while our bodies get used to the idea of being into a long term caloric deficit and shifts into fat burning mode where we lose primarily fat. This means that you have already been through that initial quick loss/stall/shift to fat burning phase and are already into that slower long term fat burning phase. Nothing to worry about at all.

Those of us who didn't do any pre-op diet and started our major weight loss effort at surgery-time will naturally show quicker weight loss out of the box from surgery than those who lost significantly pre-op. For instance, I lost 32 lb that first month post-op (with no loss in the immediate pre-op weeks,) followed by 15 lb each of the next two months; If I had lost that first 32 lb pre-op, then I, too, would be a "slow loser" post op!

Relax and enjoy the ride!

Thank you!  I appreciate the advice. 

Thanks for that helpful information on glycogen. :-)

You're doing great!!   Follow the plan that your dr gave you.  I eat three meals and two to three snacks per day.   I couldn't get all the protein in if I didn't.  I try to eat every two to three hours. Keeps my blood sugar even. Be patient.  It will be worth it!  Keep up the good work.