Time Out Details, Please

Hi everyone I will be a year out on the 20th and have done great but the weight loss has pretty much come to a halt and I don't feel I'm finished yet.  I would like to lose at least another 20 lbs.   I've gotten a bit laxed in my eating.  I'm fine during the day at work but I'm having a problem with grazing at night.  Crackers are my demon for sure.  Pretzels as well....  I see everyone talking about Time Out and wondered if there is a link to a full explanation of what this is all about and exactly how I can do it.  Is it too soon or even necessary at a year out to do this? I need to get my head back in the right place, this much I realize but I'm wondering if my pouch needs some adjusting also.  I can eat well over 8 oz of food before feeling full... and obviously with grazing I can go on forever.  I'm getting pretty mad at myself to be honest! I'd appreciate any helpful advice.  Thank you. Bev 

Hey Bev! How's it going? I know it is awful feeling how you do! Let me tell you how to get all the info you need to know if it is "time out" you want to read about and learn. First, surf around this forum until you find a cute little picture of Patty Butler. Then when you see her picture beside a post she has made you will see a little phrase under it called "latest posts" Click on that and save it to your favorites on your computer. Then you can go back and revisit it anytime you want and it is very helpful. She is the source on exactly what to do on that program since it came from her Dr.  I am back on track as of today and am so excited about paying attention to eating again and have a renewed sense of hope...simply by making that decision. Good luck with yours! Molly

I remember reading the original TO description but something I did not have time to ask then is about the part when you add in real food. Have you found that you regained (even so slightly) like back in the old days of pre-surgery diets that were putting most of us in starvation mode? I totally understand the need to "re-set" everything, but would it not make more sense to do it with the rules we started with post op? Water, protein first, ,many small meals? I know that is not everyone's doc orders after surgery but it was mine and many others that I read about.

Since the 20 th is your one year why do you make a support meeting.There will usualy be a surgeon and nut.there.You can find out if Time Out is for you or take another approach to your weight lost.I know that a year out and you stop losing weight but that is common and you should not beat yourself up. I will not be at that support meeting because I have an appointment that night.It sounds to me that you have to take control of your grazing.You might have to increase your exercise.I know Molly will tell you just because you go on Time Out does not mean that you will get your grazing under control and you are done. The demons do come back.This is only a tool and a very small part the rest is up to you...........bob

Time Out is a program used by my surgeon for his patients who are at their goal and have started to regain.  There is no specific program for all his patients - he designs if for the individual based on metabolism, age, etc.  For me, it's harsh.  For the first two weeks I had nothing but three Nectar protein shakes a day; after that, I can have two shakes (Nectar) and a salad.  I stay on this protocol until I have lost all that I gained.  I am a little over half way now. Talk to your doctor about what you need to do.  You are very early out and probably haven't reached a final weight.  I am over five years out and got really lax the last couple of years. I will tell you that my downfall started with crackers - specifically Cheez its and Cheese Nips.  I am totally addicted to them and they cannot pass my lips.  I will graze on them until I have consumed a whole box.  Probably what you need to do is work on elimintating the grazing at night and you should be ok but talk to your doctor. Patty

Thanks to everyone for the responses.   Patty, this does sound extremely harsh and I wonder if I could even do it!   It's quite ironic that you mentioned Cheez-Its and Cheese Nips, those are exactly what got me in such a panic!  My husband bought a box of each two weeks ago and I ate them both, all by myself, in a little less than two weeks.  I just kept grabbing until they were gone.  I told him they are now considered illegal since I apparently have no control.  As of today, I am going to try to stop carbs other than a little of whatever side I'm having with dinner.  I'm also going to stop grazing and get back to my 6 little meals a day.  I don't feel I'm finished losing, I just started slipping from the routine which had worked so well for me up to this point.   I seem to have no problem cutting the sugar but crackers, pretzels, and bread are very tough for me.  I thought I could eat them but now I'm re-thinking this position.  I think a little just makes me want more. Thank you for your input.

I went forever without sweets til I got to where I was eating the salty carbs a lot.  Then all of a sudden, I wanted sweets too - and the cravings mushroomed from there. I have discovered that I absolutely cannot eat those foods - they are triggers for me to eat other things. Oddly enough, the time out has been easy - I think my body is much happier without all the junk in it.  I have so much more energy and I know that I was having several dumping episodes every afternoon.  I would have lunch and then my coworker and I would snack on something, like crackers or gum drops - and before I knew it I was nodding off at my desk.  That doesn't happen now. So yes, the time out is harsh but I've had little problems with it.  And the joy of getting back into my smaller clothes is much better than the taste of all the junk I was eating. Patty