new to non surgical side...question

On this board does everyone do there own type of diet, liquid protein, WW, Atkins, ect  ? i am thinking of going with the  lapband surgery since i always fail at a diet.... Just wondering what most people thing the best diet out there is? So many out there today....

Welcome to the non op board.  We all do whatever works for us.  Some are on WW, others (like myself) count calories, and a couple are trying South Beach.  Others are doing a variation of WW, etc. For me, I'm counting calories (trying to stay between 1300-1500) and working at eating healthier and making better food choices.  As for exercise, that'**** and miss with me right now.  I'm having a problem with my leg right now so exercise isn't in the cards.  Hopefully it will get fixed soon so I can really start working out.  I've been working on my plan since mid-May and have lost 30lbs.  I'm finding that by being more aware of calories, I can make better choices.  A few people on this board have had surgery and a few others are thinking about surgery, myself included.  I do know one thing, even if I decide to go with surgery I MUST change my eating habits now in order to be successful. Best of luck to you.

I lost 70 pounds (in more or less 4 months) pre-op by sticking to a1200 calorie a day diet, with at least 30% protein, and less than 25% fat. I logged everything in FitDay, and committed to some form of exercise 7 days a week. I am a little more anal retentive (and fatter) than most humans, so your mileage may vary. ;)

Research, research and then more research your decision for WLS. WLS does NOT fix your ''head'' and its also a lifetime change not to be taken lightly of course. Complications due accure even when following instructions on eating and exercising. That all being said been there done that with everything that has came down the pike in order to lose weight and yes including WLS which as a patient that happens to be a Healthcare Professional I knew what I was getting into and followed all of the rules. WLS failed me and I am back to exercising and eating properly and yes I am back to the WW program that my Bariatric Surgeon told me to do since the WLS failed. DUH could of saved over a hundred grand and 6 admissions to the hospital with 4 surgeries due to the WLS if I had of eaten properly and worked out. The WLS didnt fix my head and I still wanted to eat even tho for the life of me I cant remember when I ever have eaten because I was actually hungry........

Sharon: I read your profile. Very interesting account with the band. Also.. you look great! :)

The best diet there is? There are a couple that work quickly and well, but for my money the best one that I know i will stick to in the long run: a balanced one.  By this I mean proper portions of a variety of high quality foods:   -emphasis on lean proteins, beans included here and, lowfat dairy - at least one piece of fruit a day, rarely juice form - at least 3-4 cups of vegetables a day, potatoes once a week or so - fats like olive oil or other plant oils, not hydrogenated; i also eat butter, nothing else when I need spread. - grains in most whole grain form possible:  barley, brown rice, whole wheat bread For me, over the years i learned what works for my older more abused body to lose weight is to only eat about 3 servings of grains, which means over the course of one day:   a half cup of cooked rice + one small piece of bread + 1 ounce crackers. i am also better off and feel less hungry when i eat more protein...more like 100 grams a day when only 60 or so is suggested for a woman my age. I don't actually count this out, though I have for so long on fitday i kinda know what i take in most days.  i also use protein drinks to get there.  Leafy dark greens are one secret I have..i swear when i do a better job at eating those, i don't crave sweets or carbs so much.  Exercise has saved my sanity more than it made me thin, tho i spose I'll never know how many pounds I would weigh if i had not been as dedicated as I have been. I am officially addicted to it and feel my body runs hotter and smoother when I am this dedicated.  Our bodies crave hard work and challenge!

Hey Neecee, I'm hijacking this post to ask you a question.  You said you sometimes used protein drinks to get in your protein.  I was able to get a 6 pack of slim-fast for 2 bucks the other day and I keep them in my fridge for emergencies.  I find about every 5-6 days that it makes a great mid-afternoon pick me up.  It's like 190 calories and 20 grams of protein.  I went on their website and wasn't too impressed, it's the same kind of "diet" everyone else in the world has.  I also don't love the concept of liquid meals only because, let's face it, what happens when you go off.  Mama didn't raise no fool. LOL

Do you think that an occassional slimfast is a good option?  They aren't horribly filling but they do hit the spot during that mid-afternoon sugar dump.

the whole protein drink discussion is touchy for a few reasons.  There is a good argument that it doesn't "teach" you anything, but in my life, I am so harried most days, no way do I always have good quality proteins just ready to hop into my cooler and eb wherever i am. The secret to success in my book is finding a dirnk that is low cal, low fat, low or no sugar. A plus is most of them are fairly low in sodium, which I am supposed to keeping low too. I have not checked out the recent slim fast version, tho i hear it has come a  long way. I have a bad judgment feeling in general about slimfast..it used to be pretty high in sugar. I try to buy drinks that are at least 10g protein to no more than 5g carb and most important, under 150 calories.  I buy the one from costco called wellements Premium Prot-rated brand and use a half scoop.   A whole scoop = 135 cals/27g protein/1g fat 4g carb (2g is sugar).  This is the best nutritive value I have found for the cost, about 25 dollars for a 6 pound bag!  It has 18% calcium in that one scoop...one nutrient I have to work very hard at to get daily!  I put the half scoop in cold water, then into coffee or watered down milk or juice and slug it. Like you, I love it for the afternoon right before I go home.  i swear it assuages hunger so I don't get the munchie attacks so readily right before supper.  i also buy strawberry or choc EAS brand drinks too on sale.  Those are about 100 calories, ready to drin****ep them at work and at home ready to grab if I am running out the door. I'll read the slim fast ones..just have never checked it out!  I love the peach mango from my bariatric doc...awesome in green tea.  80 cals, no fat, teeny amount carbs, 15g protein.

I know it has 190 calories, and if I am remembering properly it has 6 grams of carbs (sugar), 2 of them fiber, "net carbs" 4g.   I wasn't looking for a protein drink, per se, because I get my protein in during the day with food.  I aim for that first, as you do.  But sometimes in a pinch that can is a good option.  Again, we're talking once every maybe 5-6 days.  I am thinking something like boost would do the job just as well.  I don't want a milkshake, so yeah, the sugar is a thing I want to look for.  Also 190 is a bit high in calories for me.  I like to keep my "snacks" to about 100 calories or less.   Thanks for responding, made a whole lot of sense.

I don't believe any "diet" will be successful in the end.  If you are overweight to the extent that you are posting on ObesityHelp.com, then you need to change your eating patterns permanently.