"Air it Out" Thread

The thing that frustrates me the most is that I seem to be able to eat more now that I am 6 months out and I am worried that I am going to end up gaining back all of the weight that I have lost thus far.  My job requires that I travel and that I take customers out. When I'm home I try to pack my lunch and weigh out my dinner, but even when I do, it seems like 4 oz is just not enough to make me feel full any more.  I'm drinking more water to try and fill me up more, but that does not seem to be helping either.  I really hope that I did not go through all of this for nothing.  No, I have not gone back to eating sugar and I have not had so much as a sip of alcohol since before surgery, but I'm really worried that with the increase in volume, the pounds are going to start creeping up again.

I am right there with you!! I eat "good" choices... but I can eat a LOT it seems

 Me too!

I'm making very healthy choices and eating the right things, but it seems I can eat more than I should. 

I can feel when I get full. Everyone says you can't feel that post-op, but I can. There's a very distinct feeling I get when I know I should stop, and I do. But it takes more than a few spoonfuls. I can usually eat about 1/3 Cup and be pretty satisfied. 

I don't know if I should be concerned. I chew everything to mush and have never had a bad reaction to anything I've eaten. I've only overeaten once when I was distracted, and it passed relatively quickly. 

It just seems my pouch has bigger capacity than maybe it should...and then I wonder, "omg, did I stretch it out?"  But I can't figure out how I could possibly stretch muscle eating soft, mushy-chewed food. 

You are supposed to be able to eat more.  I don't think you could survive on 4 oz of food for the rest of your life.  When you keep things in perspective, what was 4 oz pre surgery.  For me I ate more then that as I was making my dinner.  It really isn't that much food.
Also, I find that my capacity changes daily and often within the day.  For some reason at lunch a few bites will fill me up but at dinner I can eat a cup or more of food.
I kept adding an oz or so and was surprised that it didn't affect my weight loss.  Try upping to 5 oz and see if that helps and if not try 6 oz.  Unless your NUT or program specifically forbids eating that much.  I was pretty much on my own after 6 months.  I wasn't really given too many guidelines and I have always looked at those as guidelines anyway.  I have to find what works best for me.  I can almost guarantee that you won't get fat on 6 oz of healthy food.  It took large quantities of horrible food to cause me to become morbidly obese.  I didn't get that way by eating too much broccoli.

I am in frustration / panic mode over where to stop on calories. I have a self-set goal of 1100 calories and the last 3 days I have gotten about 1200. Good foods.... the calories generally come from a Tbsp of peanut butter, or 1 slice P28 bread (both of those items over 100calories on their own), a couple days a week I have a protein shake w/ skim milk before the gym and I end up hungry sooner.... things like that -not bad, they have protein just put my calories over goal. I don't know if I am justifying, or if it is rational to have those things. If 1200 calories keeps me full and not grazing, do I go there? My NUT / RD doesn't give calorie goals and it makes me nuts!!

 My frustration is that I retain a **** ton of water so it seems like I am not losing a darn thing and it is so frustrating.

I am also when I am not going to see myself as my heaviest when I look in the mirror.  I saw my brother today for the first time in several weeks and he said "Holy smokes, you have lost a ton already!"  I wish I saw that.

Let's see...my biggest issue right now is that I still eat sugar free candy most days.  I swore I was going to stop because of the gas issues.  My daughter was horrified when I bought some yesterday because she was having friends over and she was terrified I would gas them out.  I rationalized that it was because of the laxative effects since I have been constipated.  The funny thing is that they didn't bother me at all yesterday.  It is kind of hit or miss when I eat them.  Sometimes I get away with it and other times I really pay.  Kind of like playing Russian roulette.  I try not to eat it if I am going to be around people.  I just like having something in place of smoking.  I tried sunflower seeds and it didn't do the same thing for me.  I'm not terribly worried about it because I have a habit of getting on kicks with certain foods and then I grow bored and move on to something different.  I used to have baked ricotta for lunch every day and I haven't had that in months.  Then it was oatmeal for breakfast with a banana.  I like having the same things every day.  Keeps me from thinking about food too much.

 i usually stick with the same food too.

as far as the candy does crystal light or any of the flavored waters sit okay with you? maybe try making them and putting them in an ice tray. although that wouldn't travel well, if they don't make you gassy it may be worth it while at home. or frozen grapes

 mine has nothing to do with eating or exercising because i've done good today (despite my craving for chocolate and sugar)! but why can't i get myself motivated for school work this semester?! i have a big presentation on tuesday and a paper due thursday and i haven't started either yet.... apparently my mind is already on spring break...

I am pretty good at planning food for the day. I pack a lunchbox and take it with me every day to work. However, I suck at the weekends...it's like I take two days off from everything. It's not even intentional. I get to running around doing errands, seeing friends or the cousins and the next thing I know I'm ready to chew my arm off. So then I opt for something stupid...crap food which does nothing for me.

Sooo...this revelation came to me today. I had a really good breakfast, went off to spin and do abs, then hoem to shower and get changed, then chomped down a protein bar. The four hours later after visiting my cousin I'm ready to tear my arm off.

This whole developing new habits thing sucks sometimes.