What's on your Monday Menu, RNYers?

I realize every program is different, but you seem to be getting a lot of fruits and veggies in for someone on puree. Fruit in my book, even good ones like berries should be occasional during weight loss.

In your morning smoothie you have PB2 and protein powder...Both protein sources... Do you really need Fairlife Milk? I personally like Silk Cashew Milk as as an alternative better than Almond and only 25cal a cup. I use Fairlife daily for my latte and I want to get some protein in before I eat... but it does have more calories and carbs and I am realizing I don't necessarily need the extra protein in a smoothie.

I drank protein drinks daily for the first 2 years- my guidelines were - when completely made- should have about 30g protein, not more than around 200 calories and not more than 5g sugar. Maybe check the stats on yours and adjust.

You are not really going to have an opportunity to add much oil until you are off puree. But olive oil, butter, avocado oil... all get used.

My calories for most of early weight loss- months 2 to 10 was +/- 750c. You don't have to eat the exact same amount every day. There will be fluctuations depending on choices, but you shouldn't feel like you have to eat fish all the time or something just because it is lower calorie.

Also did your chili have beans? While again a 'good carb' still carb.

This was actually the first time I had added fruit in post opp. My surgeon advised it for the extra nutrients and fiber. Same with the beans. I have been eating a lot of beans because they are easy and tasty during the pureed stage. Maybe I will pull back from the beans a bit. Thank you again for your advise!

When you are on puree it is a little challenging. Yes, people do eat the refried beans on pureed... Once you are on regular food...it will be a little easier to figure out.

Berries are the best of fruits, and yes fruit is nutritious, but it is still more carbs than veggies. Like I said I think a good way to look at protein smoothies/drinks is to look at the total of what you are putting together...you can keep putting healthy things in and it becomes too much.

Good morning JB and gang. I am happy to hear that your parents are doing better. Prayers for continued recovery and health for them and for you and Grim as well. I had a busy and productive weekend. It's beautiful here, as well. Saturday was pretty nice, but yesterday was incredible. It got to around 75 degrees here and it was sunny, with a cool breeze. Saturday was my monthly peer support group. We had the best turnout yet, and 5 new people showed up. That includes a OH member, alouisa63 showed up and I have to say she is AWESOME! Such a beautiful, positive person. I have met a bunch of people from OH in person, and I have to say that I have never once been disappointed. Everyone is friendly and positive.

Okay, update about A Pound of Cure. I just can't keep it up. I swear, I'm struggling HARD, and I keep thinking about how I'm going to find a way to be comfortable and I think I'll just have to do what my therapist tells me, and just lighten up a little bit.

JBQOTD: See my statement above. I would tell myself to lighten up. Now, that doesn't mean I would tell myself to eat whatever I want, or eat off plan, or even not go protein forward. But I would tell myself to not beat myself up and get down on myself so much when I DID screw up. I'd always reset, I'd always want to be focused, but I'd lighten up on the inner turmoil and the shame.

20 months since surgery

B: Better Oats 100 Calorie Oatmeal, Apples & Cinnamon. 2oz Kowalski Holiday Sausage. Coffee with SF Coffeemate

L: Cucumber, tomato, mild pepper rings, beets, olives and Fat Free Feta Cheese.

D: homemade chicken stir fry with riced cauliflower.

S: I didn't bring any snacks, but I may run down and get some fresh fruit or something from the Deli downstairs.

Totals

Calories 648 Protein 62 Carbs 53 Fat 21

Glad everyone continues to improve. Movie sounds fun.

This Chicken Shu Mai- Recipe? Also an FYI I started using coconut aminos rather than Low sodium soy sauce because it tastes like soy but has much lass sodium. I use a brand called coconut traditions. It is a little pricey, but I am one person. If I was cooking for a crowd I would probably still use low sodium soy sauce.

QOTD: I have always said when I made a decision to have WLS was making it my job. I guess my advice to my pre-WLS self is to remember it a lifetime job and you may have to reinvent yourself every once in awhile, and you need to give yourself performance evaluations :).

So that being said... I have been all over the place since my kids left after Christmas. 3 months. No Bueno. I have been at a weight higher than my goal range for a month. Maybe it qualifies as regain. Not a temporary bump. I don't think my goal range was unreasonable as I was in it for 6 months. My lowest weight I had actually lost 222 pounds but was sick and there for a split second so I don't count that. I also need to be kind to myself because I have been under a lot of personal stress...

So in being kind to myself, but not putting my head in the sand... I prepped some food last night...and I pre-planned my food in MFP. Never have done that before. Not that I haven't used MFP, but not the preplan part....My biggest change for this week I decided is to cut back on cheese.

I am a cheesaholic. I could find a reason to have it at every meal, and sliced cheese get counted easily but shredded? maybe, maybe not.

So Happy Monday and here we go gang!

B: Coffee latte w/fairlife/miralax 4oz sirloin steak, egg

S: Syntrax Mint cookie w/cashew milk

L: Scrambled eggs w/butter, spinach

S: Fuzzy navel w/water

D: Chicken 4oz, broccoli, olive oil

S; Protein Hot Chocolate

Ex: with Trainer @Gym

I have a cheese addiction too. I keep it under control by weighing it out. An ounce is an ounce, whether in a block or shredded. I"m going to amend my answer to JBQOTD - By a digital food scale and use it, religiously, every meal.

Shu Mai is frozen from Trader Joes.

6 piece serving (which is plenty!) for 160 calories, 5g fat, 10g protein and 18 carb.

I've never heard of coconut aminos. I will check it out, thanks!

I've never heard of the coconut aminos either. I'll be checking it out too!

Coconut Aminos Link

Thank you very much!