You CAN lose weight again!

I am new to this board but I've been a member here since 01, when I had my surgery.  I have read about Dr. Warnock's 'Time Out' and I wanted to share something as an alternative that has worked for me. As most of us have, I've wrestled with weight gain over the last six years.  It started after my TT back in 03.  I got down to 147 (for about a minute) afterwards and went in weighing 155, which I only stayed there for about a month.  Most of the time, I've weighed between 165 and 170.  However, a couple of times, I've allowed myself to get to 182 and that's where I draw the line.  The first time I got back down with Weigh****chers (without going to meetings).  But this year, I decided to do something different.  Since we all seem to like to graze, I thought up something that has worked. I simply eat ONE thing every hour and I don't allow myself to get full.  I don't eat meals.  But I can eat what I want (candy bar or whatever) as long as I only eat one thing and that's it.  When I eat every hour I don't feel deprived.  I don't feel like I'm on a diet.  Now if you REALLY want to drop the pounds quick, then eat only protein every hour and that really takes it off!  I do have to drink over 64 oz. of water during this time also and I HATE water!  Ugh!  But it works! I started at 182 and I'm at 155 and I want to get to 140 and I know I will this time!  I used to wear a size 32 and now I'm in size 8 and it is awesome!  I don't have any local support groups and never have had them.  I just simply want to be thin more than I want the food and that works for me!  Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!

So, you've been doing this since the beginning of the year? It sounds good and you must be very disciplined to be able to eat only one thing an hour. Once I start it seems as if I can't stop the grazing. I just have to taste everything I see. Sad isn't it.  Please give me an example of your day and what you eat. I really want to try this. I don't like water either but i'm willing if it will help me get rid of this weight. Thanks, Shana

The mornings consist of a little more than one thing.  It's really the only meal I eat.  It will either be a bowl of instant flavored oatmeal (one packet - not two like I used to do!).  Or I fry two eggs in olive oil and put 3 strips of turkey bacon crumbled up in it.  I cook the turkey bacon in the microwave and it makes it crisp without fat. Then about two hours later (because I'm still full) I'll drink a protein drink with all my vitamins and supplements I take.  Then in another hour or two (depending upon if I get hungry) I'll eat a piece of fruit, or a cheese stick or deli meat or any kind of protein such as canned salmon or tuna or something.  Sometimes I wait two hours between because I'm not really hungry yet so I wait until I am, which I think is the key to it all really.  Then I try to choose wisely as far as what I eat.  I try to stay away from breads but if I just HAVE to have some, then I have half of a sandwich with lean deli meat, light mayo or mustard on wheat bread and lettuce and tomato.  It works best if you can eat only protein throughout the day of course, but there's just times I have to have a salad or fruit, so I do.  I ge****er in between the meals or crystal light.  If there's anything else I can help you with, please let me know!  The  key is to eat only when you're really hungry with a hunger pain and only eat enough to satisfy the hunger.  This is how slim people eat - they eat to live and not live to eat!  I'm slowly learning how to do it too!   If I can do this, you can too - trust me!  Good luck!

Do you have a list (or know where to get one) of foods with the highest protein? I had my lap RNY on March 14,2007 I was 311 and I have lost to 228 and it seems like I am stuck there. I can't have my hernia repair and mons reduction until I get to 200. Thanks

Dotty, you shouldn't be stuck so soon in your journey!  I would go back to my bariatric doc and get an x-ray to see if your stoma is too large or you have a staple line disruption.  I really think there is a good reason you stopped losing weight and the fault is not your own!

 Good luck!

 

macrobi I have read your post. I am glad you are doing well. I have a question. I am over 2 year post op and I have never had hunger pains. I was told with the surgery your ghrelin appetite  hormone will stay level and you wont be hungry. when you say you eat protein every hour is it solid protein or a protein shake? thanks Sophia

It doesn't have to be just protein, but when you do eat protein, a solid protein or protein drink will do.  A protein drink will help you lose water weight as well as drinking water all day long also.  Just make sure you don't sit down to a meal.  Only one thing every hour and that includes carbohydrates as well.  Of course, it would be better if you ate the carbs that are better for you like complex carbs, but when you're desperate and need something you're craving, only eat ONE!

Sophia - I was told the same thing about the ghrelin hormone, but it was a few months after my 2 year anniversary that the hunger kicked back in.  I was told that's because the ghrelin hormone is back.  The returned appetite, along with enlarged stoma = weight gain of about 40 lbs in the last almost 3 years (I'll be 5 years in May).   I'm trying to get into the RESTORe clinical trial to endoscopically reduce the size of the stoma. Betsy