Time Out Day 3 Over

One of things I have learned being on the TIME OUT plan, is if I put my mind to something I can do it.  I can discipline myself.     I have just completed day 3 (no food) and have lost 11 pounds.  I am already planning my menu once I start to include food.   I think this is important, too many times I grab something to eat whatever is easy and that is usually junk food.   This time I am going to plan my week out and shop ahead of time and look at my menu each day.   Only protein and vegs, no JUNK food in the house     Good-luck to everyone. PS.   saw my surgeon yestday and told him about the Time Out Plan and he felt this was a great idea. In fact he recommends to his patient if they have a weight gain to go on liquids and then slowly add food .    He said you need to listen to your body.    I asked him if we can actually shrink the pouch back to the size it was,   he said there is no actual proof of this but he said it is a muscle and like our muscles if we do not exercise they become weak and flabby.  When we work-out our muscles become tone.  So he said if you continue to overstuff yourself you can stretch the pouch, but not much,  if you only give it little food it could possibly get a little smaller.   The bottom line it is a tool that we need to learn to use in a proper way. You would not use a chain saw without proper safety gear!.   He is funny. Laura

Wow, Laura! That is so cool that you were able to visit with your surgeon about this. Did you tell him about the 11 pounds? That is truly amazing! I have a plan I will be following starting today that is: water, protein shakes and a small protein snack rotating every hour. I am really excited about it because it does contain real food but I still get to drink all my protein shakes which I really need. And I am eating or drinking something every hour. I CANNOT allow the carbs back into my life and it's a good way to combat that! Molly

Laura, Congrats on a successful 3 days - doesn't it feel great to see that scale drop? I am on my 5th week of Time Out - but now I am having two protein drinks and a salad each day.  I lost 16 pounds the first 2 weeks and then only lost 2 pounds the next two.  Now, four days into the 5 week, I have lost another 4 for a total of 22 pounds.  Unfortunately, I still need to lose another 20 but that's ok.  I saw my surgeon last Friday and he wants me to continue with the two drinks and the salad until I lose the rest.  Then, I can slowly add back solid protein and fruits. I have found that my capacity for solids is much smaller than it was prior to the time out - I feel fuller and satiated much faster and it lasts longer and that is a good thing. It's amazing what we can do when we are motivated. Again, congrats on your success and keep up the good work. Patty

Patty,  where have you been,  I have been thinking about you.     Congrats on your weight lost and not letting the Food Junkie Get you.    Today is my fourth day and I am determined to stay on this.   So far I feel great,   I am not even hungry, even when I cook for my husband.  I feel more wide awake in the morning   not sluggish at all.   My doctor felt the weight loss was great and is ordering my blood work.    The only side effect I have is while I am sleeping I wake up with cramps in my foot (charlie horses).  Maybe too much water.  So I am now using the Crystal Light  Hydration with Electrolytes.        I really feel this is  a FOOD REHAB for us.   Gets the bad stuff out of our bodies and gets us on the right track.    Please keep me updated on your progress.    Laura

Laura, I reacted exactly as you have - more energy and the total lack of food craving.  It's almost like being a new post op.  Sounds like your potassium might be a bit low and that's causing the cramps in your foot.  The CL Hydration should take care of that and if your blood works shows that it's low, your doctor will probably prescribe some potassium for you. It is Food Rehab - and I refer to it as detoxing my body.  Thank goodness it works Patty

I am not doing well with this. How do you do protien shakes at work? I work in an environment where it is not easy to make shakes. I have tried doing liquids all day and something at lunch like cottage cheese or a small portion of chicken breast. I need help. I am failing at this too. I am starving at dinner. I am not actually eating alot or really bad things I just can not switch over to nothing but liquids....I dont know whats wrong. Maybe just ween myself off solids this week and do all liquids next week. I am taking in double or triple the water...I hate water. I cant stomach crystal lite. So it is good to see that this week I get in about 100 ounces of water compared to may 20 ounces a day before. My protien is increased as well....getting 50-80 compared to 10...  My whole problem is this...I had surgery in Boston.....moved to Arkansas.....close to Memphis, TN, anyhow the dr.'s here do not want to see me as they did not perform the surgery. I have had no follow ups so to speak since my initial one week after surgery. I have no support be it family or friends. All the people on OH...live 2-4 hours away so we are not close. I have been doing this on my own. I have done well but have gained. Now onto that.....I was 233 the day of surgery......got down to 133 due to no money and going through a divorce with 2 kids. I had enough money to buy them food. Now fast forward....I am doing better and can eat but get stressed and eat the wrong food. Or because I am on my own eat what my kids eat because money is not flowing out my arse. Ok today I weigh 159...got to 164...down to 149 in Jan 2007....March 2007 had breast implants and a lift and gained about 10 due to recovery and laying in bed no exercise.....which I have tried to do regularly but hate it as much as I hate my ex husband. I just cant switch to complete liquids. It is hard. Also lunch time...what do I do? I have cut back my food greatly and started eating sugar free jello and broth...and water....but usually eat some thing at lunch. Last night for dinner tomato soup. I have given up bread. Almost kicked my daily Coca Cola habit. Thats been hell. I usually get a sip or two compared to a can a day. My dr said that was gonna be hard to give up comsidering it is like smoking for me. I was consuming 12-24 cans a day.  So can yall put your heads together and help a sister out? Maybe going full liquid will be easier next week....I am getting used to not much food this week. Thanks for listening.....photos on profile Tammy

Tammy,  I am glad I'm not the only one struggling with this!!  I had planned to start TO yesterday.  I made it until about 2pm, and was so freakin' hungry I couldn't stand it!!  I went to 7-11 and bought a couple string cheese.  Less than one of them took away the hunger for the rest of the afternoon.  I feel like a total loser for not being able to do this, as others seem to be doing it successfully.  I am going to try to "de-carb" for a couple days, hoping that might be my problem with being hungry...when I was still behaving (the first 2 1/2 years post-op) I was never hungry, and had to remember to eat.....I need to  get back to that phase! Good luck to you!  The good news is that even though I didn't succeed at doing doing the "real" TimeOut, I did actually lose a couple pounds.  Perhaps I just need to listen to my body and do what is right for me....I just would sure like to lose the weight as quickly as those doing the TO successfully! Kathy

i hear ya....i have not went total liquid yet. I have lost a couple....not much prolly jus****er. i am at a loss. by the way...I am from Michigan...born and grew up in remus/mecosta area until i was 14. thanks tammy

This is a good example of how the plans can be overdone to our detriment. You mention feeling like a "total loser" because you didnt' stick with liquids all day. Instead you consumed a dense protein which met your body needs and is COMPLETELY consistent with the correct way we should be eating. A more positve view with a more positive outcome for you would be to do what you refer to and "decarb" in a way that fits your body's needs. Just like you said, to get back to what we are supposed to do post-op, that is definitely a healthy attitude!!