Eating

 So i have had surgery about 4 months ago now.. since my last visit to the doctor, i have not lost any more weight.. it wil b 2 months since ive been to the doc on the 28th which is when i am going. i feel like i am starting to lose control again just like the way i was before not being able to keep control. and eating everything and anything i want again with no restrictions.. i feel mysel putting on weight and it is making me depressed..

someone please help me get back on track.. does anyone have any sort of plan they follow each day to what they eat. thank you

ashley

Hi Ashley!

Allowing yourself to make mistakes is a huge part of success (at least it is for me!)  When I realized that I could eat something unhealthy and go immediately back to my eating plan, I gained an immense amount of strength.  Then when I did it again, and again, each of those tiny victories proved to be exponentially more therapeutic than the band itself.  Now, if I want a slice of cake or an ice cream, I will have it, knowing full well that I will go immediately back to eating the way I'm supposed to.  It even gave me the strength to start saying NO.  My husband brought me a snickers ice cream bar last night as a nice gesture, and I said "Thank you so much for the thought, sweety, but I'm going to pass on the calories!"  Imagine how incredibly empowering it is to know that YOU have control over your choices!!

The first step to that process is allowing yourself to mess up.  We are not perfect, and our bands do not make our choices perfect. 

Just because you have had a setback does not mean that you can not start NOW, TODAY, choosing better.  You can do this!!!!  I have complete faith in you. 

Have an awesome day!

Ashley, You might check the "What are you eating " posts to see what others choose to eat each day.

My doctor says to eat 3oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies 3x a day with healthy, low calorie, high protein snack inbetween IF needed.  I measure out my food and eat it and then walk away.   If I'm still hungry 20 minutes later, I can have more veggies.

Does your doc have a nutritionist or dietician who works with the practice?  If so, you might contact them for help.

Ashley --

Honestly, the band is not supposed to 'restrict' us from eating.

It is supposed to make us feel 'satisfied' on less food --- to 'dim our appetite'.

For me, that means that a small amount of HIGH quality food lasts for a  long time.

It is MY job to put the small amount of HIGH quality food into my body - and all the band to use it to keep me from being hungry all day long.

I don't do liquid calories (I don't like milk) --- water, tea are my go-to beverages
I eat protein first (3 ounces of tuna or chicken or pork or beef) and some veggie at lunch and dinner.  I also add 1 serving of grain (sometimes whole grain crackers, sometimes brown rice, etc)

I eat a small piece of fruit or yogurt for a snack.

I schedule my meals to be about 250 - 300 calories at a time (I get 3 of those a day)
I schedule my snack(s) to be about 100 - 150 calories (I get 2 of those a day)

So -- food is never more than 3 hours away --- and I make myself drink water in between meals --- learning to delay gratification, and not grab food any time I want to is part of 'growing up' for me.  My band helps me to act like an adult around food, instead of an insistent (never satisfied) child.

I like what you said about growing up.  Impulse control, delayed gratification and plain telling yourself no sometimes, is part of maturity.  Realizing this was a huge step for me.

Hi Ashley- I actually worked with Dr. I a lot.... knowing him, he would want to see you in the office ASAP. I would try to get an appointment to see him earlier if you can.  Just be honest with the staff in his office- they are very accomodating if you tell them the situation.  If you have problems, Nino is the front end manager who I know will help you the best he can.  I would do as others said and read the other message feeds here to get ideas on what to try to eat.  Keep yourself busy and occupied away from food to try to curb your cravings.  Also, maybe when you see Dr. I, you can see one of the nutritionists while you are there.  Do they have nutritionist in their office?
I know Dr. I will help you the best way but if you need any more advice we are here!

Good luck!

Take care,
Jan

Why yes, I do have an eating plan that I swear by!  Here it is, copied & pasted from my blog entry:

I really don't "count" stuff per se, but I have found that I know what is good for me and when I make proper choices for my healthy eating plan, the numbers/stats seem to fall into place naturally.  Since I do log EVERYTHING I put in my mouth (even 1T of ketchup, I bite of bread (I'll calculate what I ate from the whole portion even if it's 1/10th of a small slice of french bread at a restaurant, etc. - I use www.myfitnesspal.com), I can tell you that my numbers are quite accurate and generally result in the following:

Calories: 1200 - 1400 (900 - 1200 when I was still losing)

Fat: 30-60 (majority of these are from olive oil, avocados, cheese, etc.  I never care about fat, even when losing, honestly.  I know I'm not eating potato skins or fried chicken, etc., so the fats I eat are healthy fats and are necessary)

Sodium:  2000 - 2500

Carbs:  40 - 100 (never over 60 when I was still losing)

Fiber: 20 - 40 (this nutrient is often overlooked and difficult to get a lot of...since I implemented it as a key point in my diet, the weight FELL off and it has helped me maintain tremendously the last 17 months, hence the reason you see me go nuts with fiber sprinkles on everything in my menu wherever I can put it (if you read my daily menu posts, that is)! LOL. As you know, fiber cancels out carbs so it allows me to eat more carbs and still produce fabulous numbers! It really is my secret to losing/maintaining - EAT MORE FIBER...I swear it works, jus****ch)

Protein: 60 - 100 (aimed for 70 minimum when I was still losing)

Sugars: 20 - 35 (never over 20-25 while I was still losing - also, most if not all of the sugars I eat are from natural sources - fruit, yogurt, milk, etc., so just like fat, I don't worry since I'm not eating candy or cheesecakes)

Yes, I mix all 17 (not kidding - I like variety or I will stray) delicious flavors of my DaVinci Sugar-Free Syrups with my protein shakes, plain greek yogurt (I never buy the pre-sweetened stuff - too much added sugar), protein cakes, protein ice creams, etc.

I have finally found the perfect balance that works for me and I am finally loving life and looking forward to lifelong maintenance...one day at a time!  I love my band!

Anyhow, how that helps in some way!  Good luck to you...