Breakfast Question?

I 100% agree with DX. the habits I have developed, doing what is right (the vast majority of the time) whether I really feel like it or not is responsible for my long term success. (surgery 9/25/2002 and lost 130 and stable since jan 2004) I never was a breakfast eater. I have made it a habit and now I don't feel right if I miss. It has been a job learning to listen to my body and fuel it properly. I always skipped breakfast, had a coke because I was tired and needed the boost, then ate like crazy in the after noon and evening. Now I follow my schedule and I feel so much better. I eat my 6 meals a day, breakfast by 6 am, mid morn meal at around 9, lunch 1130-12, midafter moon around 2-3, and dinner around 5:30- 6. bedtime snack at 8-830. It keeps my energy up and my eating in control. If I skip I feel crappy and I eat the wrong things. I also have read that eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism in t e morning. A girl I work with who needed to lose 5-10 pounds said she lost the weight and the only change she made was adding breakfast, and she ate the same things as always the rest of the day. I also have made a point of quietly noticing what people around me eat. the thin people eat breakfast. the ones struggling skip meals then pig out next meal because they are starving or feel that because they didn't eat breakfast they have lee way for the crappy lunch justifying the calories by saying they didn't eat all day. I have had people like that comment on how MUCH I eat, but, I think my whole daily count of healthy foods is probably less calories that their one big meal.

Ok, You've all convinced me to stick with my breakfast routine I have been eating breakfast since surgery out of habit and I guess it was a good habit to get into. Maybe I'll try changing up what I eat in the morning and see if that helps me to get into it more. I definitely do have times when I'm hungry now~ever since I crossed that 1yr mark the hunger has come back~its just knowing what to do with it that will help for the long haul. Thanks so much for all of your advice! Hugs, Tracy B

Hi Dana asked me to post this to you ============ Why do champions eat breakfast??? Seriously, think about this - would you go out and get in your car when the gas gauge reads in the red zone that you're nearly out of gas and then head off on a 100 mile trip? Or would you head immediately for the nearest filling station and fill up the tank with good gasoline - not the cheapy gasohol.... Your body is really a lot like your car. It burns fuel all night while you sleep and by the time you wake up, the gauge is close to empty. Your metabolism is on sluggish setting, to avoid over-burning fuel since it can't think and doesn't "know" you're going to refuel soon. If you don't get SOME decent fuel in, your metabolism stays sluggish until it gets a signal from the brain that fuel is on its way (aka digestion). And if you don't fuel up in the morning, you've now put your body on alert to be conservative with burning fat. Do you really WANT that? Don't you want your bod to burn that fat? To speed up your metabolism nutritional scientist have shown over and over again in study after study, that the body must have GOOD fuel on a regular basis. If it comes too late in the day, your metabolism is overwhelmed, your body is going to not burn the fuel up. If fuel comes too rarely, again, your body is not going to burn it up. The body, while not a 'thinking' thing, needs to know fuel is going to be readily available and replenished on a regular basis, so that it feels confident in burning the excess stores of fat. Yes, I've put this in simple terms....those who are 'into' the chemical/biological reactions may roll their eyes at the simplicity of the above statement. I'm not talking "down" to anyone, but I also don't want to get into a big old biological discussion. Suffice it to say - one NEEDS to eat in the morning....(eating can also = drinking a caloric, nutritious beverage). I was NOT a breakfast eater preop. It took months of training to get my pouch to readily accept food in the morning. It wasn't easy, but once I understood that I HAD to fuel up in the morning (or night if you're on a reversed schedule) I worked at it. Ok, off my soapbox lol. Have a great weekend everyone! ~Toots (who is speaking IN GENERAL and not specifics. If your doc and/or nutritionist says not to eat breakfast, don't take my word over theirs) =========== Hope this helps, ~Tooter

Thanks so much Tooter! It all makes sense when you put it like that! I appreciate you posting this! Tracy B

Tracy, From the time I was old enough to choose my own breakfast I chose none. When I was ahout to have RNY I learned how important protein was for me as a person everyday not just as an RNY patient. A year before surgery and still today I start my day with Low Carb Slimfast with a scoop of unflavored Unjury added to it doubling my protein intake along with my vitamins, other supplements and liquid L-Carnitine...not only do I focus much better mentally but I feel incredible. It gives me such energy and I am have been iton deficient anemic my entire life. After my drink, I do my household chores daily then get on my pilates, then gazelle and I am ready to jump into the shower and start my day. Occassionally by mid morning if I get hungry I will make two poached eggs with one piece of multi grain bread but I find I feel lousy after that one piece of toast so I usually avoid carbs other than veggies and just have another drink with extra protein powder added, this way I know I have had my protein for the day incase I don't eat again. I never have been or am now a eater...so I find it hard to eat two or three meals a day. Just my two cents but this wonder great for me.

Thanks Ginny! It does make sense that getting in some protein early on in the day would help you to have more energy and stay focused throughout the day. I've been really good since posting this about eating breakfast. Hugs, Tracy B