? regarding Time Out (new to board)

Hey everyone.  I have some questions about the Time out - I REALLY need to do this.  Can you have soup other than broth? Like french onion? Also can you add fruits to your shakes and blend them? I KNOW I have a food addiction and just the thought of not eating for 2 weeks is giving me anxiety. I have lost 150 lbs, and gained back 15 lbs in the last few months. Not only am I addicted to food, I eat when I am stressed...so going through a divorce is making me want to eat non-stop and I even wake up in the middle of the night and eat. I can eat large portions of food now too. I really need to do this time out and be successful.  I got some "Bariatrix" brand "Proti-max" protein powder and I am trying to force it down....I hate protein shakes.  I hope I can get through this. Thanks

My surgeon was very specific about the Time Out he put me on.  Three protein shakes a day - either Nectar (fruit tasting) or Essence (chocolate or vanilla).  They all have 90 calories and 23g of protein and NO sugar.  There was to be NO solid food and definitely no sugar - not even fruit.  The purpose is to break the carb addiction.  He said only protein drinks, water and crystal lite (or crystal lite type drinks by other manufacturers) so that doesn't include any soups or broths. This is a very strict regimen - 270 calories a day plus what is in the Crystal Lite. Patty

Please don't think I'm flaming you at all.  But I was wondering what about doing the Time Out is going to break your food addictions.  Unless there is some other type of intervention, I don't understand what will change, other than you will go through a few days of just consuming protein and liquids.  I do understand that going through this will create a kind-of  "detox" from carbs and sugar.  But unless there is something else to help you through it (counseling, support group, even medication?) it would be hard to continue, I think.  I am only using myself as an example here.  I had done "Atkins" a couple of other times (pre WLS) and although I did well for a month or so, I always went back to my original eating pattern.  Now I'm thinking I should have gone into some type of behavioral therapy along with the eating regimen.  Just my ideas. Good luck with whatever you choose to pursue.  Congrats on such good success.  Fifteen pounds is not insurmountable, and for a 150-pound loss, regaining 15 is 10%, which I still contend most of us will do regardless of how strict we are.

Carlita

Just to clarify, I don't think the time out will do anything for the addiction, just help to shrink the stomach and get the excess lbs off.  I am hoping though that I can somehow learn to work through my emotions instead of feeding them.  It took me more than a few days to get this way and I know it will take a while to balance my lifestyle. 

Carlita, The purpose of the Time Out is to break the food addiction - not to cure the problem.  However, my surgeon has had tremendous success with this - it seems that it eventually works as behaviour modification for a lot of people.  Having to go on this regimen repeatedly, will eventually get old - and it helps stop the bad habits.  He actually wants us to start the Time Out as soon as we have a 2 pound fluctuation in weight (up of course) and recommends weighing daily. Of course, he also it all for counseling for those who have access to it.  My insurance doesn't pay for it for weight issues and even for other issues, the copay and coverage is lousy and I can't afford it out of pocket so I will have to examine my issues on my own.  I know I am a stress eater and I know that I have to avoid it if I am to be successful. I know what I have done wrong and I know how to fix it.  Now I just have to get the excess weight off and find something to replace food when I'm stressed.  I was using exercise til my last knee surgery but since then I haven't been able to do as much as I would like.  I wear Fentanyl patches and take up to 80 mg of hydrocodone per day to control chronic pain so you can see where exercise sometimes isn't an answer.  My downward spiral started with the second knee surgery and my disappointment when it didn't turn out to be as successful as I had hoped. I played ostrich and stuck my head in the sand for many months and wouldn't admit that the crackers, cheese, brownies, candy , chips and other crud was sabotaging all my hard work.  When I did face it, I immediately called my surgeon and asked him for help.  I have to report to him every two weeks, keep a food journal and wiegh daily.   So far it has helped tremednously.  I do know that when I reach my desired weight again, I don't plan to let my weight get out of control again.  I have made getting on the scales every morning as routine as turning off my alarm clock, going to the bathroom and brushing my teeth - it just isn't an option. By the way, I don't think you are flaming anyone.  The majority of us are emotional eaters and if we are to be successful in the long term, we have to learn to control the issues that make us turn to food. Patty

i asked earlier in another post.....it is kind of hard for me to do a shake at lunch time.....any suggestions??? my work place isnt really shake friendly. cant drink the water...polluted.... pls advise

I frequently make my shake (Nectar) up the night before and freeze it.  Then at lunch, it's ready to drink.  The Nectars are good for 24 hours if kept cold.  Do you have a refrigerator at work? Try bottled water.  My office doesn't have running water so we have to use bottled water. Patty

refrig at work.....yes bottled water is possible what nectar pro do you reccommend?? did you read my initial post?? not sure which topic it was....

I prefer the Fuzzy Navel (orange and peach) and/or the Roadside Lemonade (I mix with strawberry sugar free drink mix from WalMart) and I like the Cappucino ok. No, I didn't read your initial post. Patty

my initial post was  on the topic.....time out day 3..... maybe you can offer some insight thank you