The party's over.

I've been stalled for almost two months and am now almost 10 months post-op. From everything I've read here, I realize that I've come to the end of the post-op time when the pounds almost fall off without much effort on my part. The party's over, and now I have to get to work.

My plan to revamp my eating and exercise habits:

1. Add a protein drink in the morning to jump-start my protein intake, which has always been lower than my surgeon's recommendations. 
2. I checked on some my old posts on the "Watcha eating today?" threads and realized that my portion size has insidiously increased over the past months. Time to cut back on portion size.
3. I've almost unconsciously allowed a few junk carbs back into my diet -- a bit of bread here, a bit of potato or rice there. Back to basics I must go -- lean protein, a few low-starch carbs, dabs of healthy oils and a few nuts once in a while.
4. Get serious about exercise. Just this week I've started walking 2 miles a day. This is a good start for me, since I've been sedentary ever since the surgery. I love walking, and plan to increase distance in the next few weeks. Greater intensity will follow. Also must start some kind of weight training to get more fit -- I need suggestions here as I travel a lot and will be in Nicaragua from Jan.-April. I don't think there are many gyms in Nicaragua, although there are a lot of hills to climb around on. I travel light (only carry-on bags), so I can't carry weights with me.

I'm not feeling desparate or discouraged. I'm determined. Because of the excellent information from all of you over the months, I knew this phase in my weight-loss efforts was coming. Now that it's here, any advice you can offer will be most welcome. Any additions or revisions to my plan will also be welcome.

psychoticparrot

Good for you to address the problem head-on.  For me, its all about serving size, extra calories in rich recipes, and too many snacks.  I can cheat a little, but its all-to-easy to cheat a lot.  Then I defeat myself.

This weight loss stuff is hard work.  Best of luck with your plan.

Carol

Instead of weights, you might look into resistance bands?  They're super versatile and very easy to pack for traveling.  

Resistance bands! Of course! I never thought of them. THANK YOU!

psychoticparrot

You're welcome!  :D  

I just now ordered a set of bands from Amazon. They'll be here tomorrow. Great idea!

psychoticparrot

I'm glad that my personal trainer fundamentals class has proven useful for something :D  

Congratulations on making up your mind to get back to basics and lose the rest of the excess weight.  Having surgery was the first best decision you made and this is the second.

Will you have access to a scale while in Nicaragua?  I found the scale is my best friend for keeping me on track, letting me know if I am succeeding or failing.  A fitness tracker is also wonderful.  If you track your exercise, food, and weight you will always know where you are in your journey.

I am looking forward to hearing great success reports from you. 

Not only will I not have a scale in Nicaragua, I don't even have a working scale here in New Orleans, where my husband and I are staying in a rental till Christmas. I'll have to be very careful about measuring my foods, because that and how my clothes fit will be my only way to measure my progress. I already keep track of my food, but not steadily, on myfitnesspal. I must add that as another must on my plan -- account for every morsel of food every day and to add exercise to the tally. It's amazing how tiny slips here and there add up to halt weight loss in its tracks.

Thanks for your advice, White Dove.

psychoticparrot

You can do it!!! :D