dieting question...

 Hello WLS family,          I am needing some input and info if any of you know anything about this....here I am almost 3 yrs post op and I have gained some weight and as you all know thats very scary , but I just cant seem to get back on track.. I had a baby in Dec of 05 and well intally lost 20 lbs but I have sence then regained that and a few more....YUK !!   Anyway I have been thinking that I need to just get back to the basic's strating back on liquids for 3-7 days and let my tool get back to work and then remain on a low cal diet , of course getting in the protien , veggies and fruits...BUT here is my state of confusion...I have read on here and in a few post that by doiung that you may not lose weight because our bodies will go into starvation mode and I am just wanting some insight on this matter. I know that is what we did in teh beginging and I lost over 100 lbs in my first year .  I must also add that I do know were I am going wrong...I have just got back into old habbits ,eating fast food...because its fast and grazing alot drinking diet soda , witch I believe stretches our pouch from the carbition...is that correct or not ?? and I dont excerise like I used to...I just kept saying after, I have my son Il get right back into losing and I am doing tjust the oppisite...so please if anyone has any tips...I would love to have them...                          Thank you...Beth RNY/LAP 05/13/2004                                                                        336/221/267

First off, Congratulations on having a healthy baby boy!!!! That's exciting!!!!! I've never tried going back to liquids and starting over so I can't help you there, but I think you're correct when you say you need to go back to the basics. You will probably have to go thru a few days of detox which is always hard and you feel like crap, but once you  make it thru you won't crave the bad foods as much. Eating sensibly is the best approach~ ~push protein first at meals ~don't drink with meals (I do 30min before/60min after) ~give up the soda b/c diet soda causes many to have craving for other foods ~make time for yourself to exercise, not easy to do with a baby I know ~get in your water, vitamins, calcium, etc I know its not easy, but you CAN do this!!! Good Luck and Keep us posted on how things are going!

Hello Tracy,                       I just wante dto say thak you for your input...and I think that tommrow that I am going to start my liquids and just try to stick to that for a few days...I will keep you posted.   If you have the time I was just wondering what a typical menu is for you daily...you seem to have done a excellent job w/ your weight loss . I used to eat chicken breast alot but , cant seem to do that anymore...to dry or something or mabey I am just cooking them differently. I guess I mean what do you use for a good source of protien ? I really never liked the shakes and never did use them much...but I may have to go back to them...    Well thank you again and talk to you soon , Beth

Hi Beth. I typical day for me is~ B~NSA Carnation Instant Breakfast, I have a hard time eating anything first thing in the morning. S~cottage cheese, great protein source L~salad w/ shaved deli chicken, cheese, croutons, ranch S~banana w/ pbutter D~usually something like chili or taco meat/refried beans/cheese/few tortilla chips or chicken breast S~fiber one cereal w/skim milk, I have to eat this daily due to constipations problems I tend to eat alot of the same things from day to day, like I always have cottage cheese at some point. I aim for 100oz of liquids.  Hope this helps!!

Hi Beth, I agree with Tracy.  I haven't gone back to liquids either, but I go back to mainly protein with veggies and fruit when I want to get back on track.  I've recently lost five pounds of regain this way as well as stepping up my exercise. As for the carbonation, as far out as you are, it won't stretch the pouch, but many studies reveal that even if a soda is diet, it isn't a good choice for hydration when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. Like you said, you know what you're doing wrong, it's very hard to make good choices at fast food places.  Exercise is so important to me for weight maintainance or loss.  Exercise will also help avoid the "starvation mode" you mention---it will rev up your metabolism.  Even with a baby there are things you can do to get moving, exercise videos, etc. You can do this, Beth.  Stay here with us and we'll encourage you along the way! Hugs, Connie -147#

Hello Connie,                           I just wanted to say thank you ....thank you all for being so supportive and it is really reassuring to know that you all are here.                                                                                         tahnkx again, Beth

Hey Beth!! Ditto and Ditto!!!!   Back to basics is the best advice....  and often times, the hardest to do!!!  But once you set your mind to it, following through just takes a little determination and will-power.  You can do it! In addition to the previous suggestions, (I hope I didn't overlook anyone mentioning this!) try journaling your food intake for a while.  For me, that is always the biggest eye-opener when I'm slipping.  I have it in my head that I don't consume a large protion of food - which I don't; however, when you add up all the calories in the "bad stuff", it certainly plays a BIG part in my success or failure! Good luck to you!  We are all pulling for you!!! Hugs! Kristi 

Hello Kristi,                    Just wanted to tahkm you for your responce and I agree with you about although I eat small amounts , I am sure the bad calories are adding up....so thankx again.   Well this is Monday and I have started my liquid diet today and going to try and remain on the for about 7 days...so far so good and I am not really hungry , and before I was not either...I just let them old food demons creep back on me , just eating beause the food tasted go or because I just simply wanted it...you know !  Well I so appericate all the support and keep me in your prayers please...Lord knows the wheel power and and faith , I will need.                                                       Hugs, Beth

Hello Paul,                                 I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to send me that info... I didnt know there was anything like that out there... I do plan to do some research. Well its a rainy day here in Mo and I see that TX is getting some shafty weather as well....take care and thank you again !                                                                                                               Beth Brown....:)