A Realistic Alternative to 'Time Out'

I am new to this board but I've been a member here since 01, when I had my surgery.  I have read about Dr. Warnock's 'Time Out' and I wanted to share something as an alternative that has worked for me. As most of us have, I've wrestled with weight gain over the last six years.  It started after my TT back in 03.  I got down to 147 (for about a minute) afterwards and went in weighing 155, which I only stayed there for about a month.  Most of the time, I've weighed between 165 and 170.  However, a couple of times, I've allowed myself to get to 182 and that's where I draw the line.  The first time I got back down with Weigh****chers (without going to meetings).  But this year, I decided to do something different.  Since we all seem to like to graze, I thought up something that has worked. I simply eat ONE thing every hour and I don't allow myself to get full.  I don't eat meals.  But I can eat what I want (candy bar or whatever) as long as I only eat one thing and that's it.  When I eat every hour I don't feel deprived.  I don't feel like I'm on a diet.  Now if you REALLY want to drop the pounds quick, then eat only protein every hour and that really takes it off!  I do have to drink over 64 oz. of water during this time also and I HATE water!  Ugh!  But it works! I started at 182 and I'm at 155 and I want to get to 140 and I know I will this time!  I used to wear a size 32 and now I'm in size 8 and it is awesome!  I don't have any local support groups and never have had them.  I just simply want to be thin more than I want the food and that works for me!  Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!

Robin, Hey, I'm open to hearing what different people have done to combat the ever-threatening returned pounds!  My question is--how do you work in your water (or whatever)?  If you eat one thing every hr., do you wait 30 min. & then drink for 30 min. and then start all over, or what?   Just curious!

i like your plan, I am a big time grazer, i would rather graze then sit down to a meal, when you say eat one thing what do you mean, like half a sandwich, then maybe a banana, then some soup or do you mean a banana then a piece of chicken then a scoup of cottage cheese

Well, I try not to drink with my meals, so I just drink when I'm not eating.  I really don't pay attention to the 'minutes' before and after a meal so much.  When I say one thing, I'll give you some examples.  Today I ate a piece of link sausage every hour for about 3 hours.  Then I had a piece of string cheese, and then deli meat (a few thin slices) and then a fillet of salmon for dinner.  (I'm currently doing the protein thing!).  When I don't just eat protein, I might eat a bowl of flavored oatmeal for breakfast, and since that's more than something small, I'll wait for a few hours before eating again.  When I get a hunger pain (and that's REALLY important by the way!) I'll eat maybe a candy bar, or a granola bar, or a piece of fruit or sometimes a small salad.  I do stay away from bread if I can because it's really bad for you (yeast causes fungus build up in your system).  But if I DO have to have bread, I'll eat only a half sandwich.  I don't eat things that I would like such as pizza, mexican food or fattening stuff like that.  But I have eaten a handful of chips at a time and sunchips are baked and are awesome by the way!  The key is to eat small amounts and don't get full!  I've shrunk my pouch so much that my fillet of salmon tonight made me full and I'm scared I'll not lose or even gain a pound!  Ugh!  Oh yeah, and alcohol is allowed if it doesn't have a lot of sugar and it's not a large drink.  I only drink one though and sometimes before bed to help me sleep!  If you have any more questions, please let me know!  It sure has worked for me!  Good luck everyone!

This sounds a lot like Karen B's timer plan that was posted several months ago.  It sounds like ais a great idea.

KAREN B'S TIMER PLAN FOR GETTING BACK ON TRACK The idea of this is to stimulate your metabolism to start burning fat and stop the grazing!!! Of course, adjust the times to your schedule, however, do NOT go past 1 ½ hours between some kind of feedings. 6 am coffee, tea, or some other kind of warm beverage to get things going 7 am 8 or more oz of PURE water 8 am protein shake 9 am 1-3 oz of protein type food* 10 am 8 or more oz of pure water 11 am protein shake noon 1-3 oz of protein type food 1 pm 8 or more oz of pure water 2 pm protein shake 3 pm 1-3 oz of protein type food 4 pm 8 or more oz of pure water 5 pm protein shake (like while cooking dinner prevents tasting and grazing) 6 pm dinner 1-3 oz of food total, i.e., 2 oz of protein food, a bite or two of veggie and perhaps a taste of a complex carb 7 pm 8 or more oz of pure water 8 pm protein shake 9 pm light snack like string cheese, deli meat or cheese, about 1 or 2 oz total 10 pm 8 or more oz pure water · Pure water is very important to optimum health and to flush the fat cells through your body.  You may drink crystal light, diet Snapple, flavored waters, etc., however, you still MUST get in the 64 oz of PURE water every day and do not count the water in shakes or the flavored waters UNLESS you are flavoring them yourself with lemon, etc.  Propel is good, but still do not count towards your water. · You may make your protein shakes with just 1 scoop for 20 g of protein or less, but your total protein shake consumption must be at least 90 g.  I use the full 30 g portion for each of my shakes, but my body requires more protein supplement.  Please adjust accordingly, however the importance is actually drinking them.  You can make up a half a portion in 2-3 oz of water to equal 15-20 g of protein then your daily total of drinking 5 shakes would be around 100 g which is perfect for a proximal RNY. · You will find that by setting the timer, you will never be hungry, and in fact, by the latter part of the day, you will be surprised when the timer goes off to have water, protein, or food again! · All meals must have a beginning and an end.  No more than 15-20 minutes per mini-meal.   If you are full in five minutes, STOP and discard food or put away for the next meal.  It doesn't mean that you can still eat during that hour.  This constitutes grazing. · Track your food in Fitday.  This helps. You will find that even tho you are eating every three hours your pouchie cannot handle as much as it could have before. · If you aren't carbophobic add some whole grains to your meals, but eat them LAST. Mix all protein shakes with water and ice only.  No milk or fruit.  This adds calories and causes cravings for more carbs.   You may add SF syrups, or mix your shakes with SF beverages, i.e., Propel, crystal light, Fruit 2-0, etc.

This is simular to how I've done it my entire journey from surgery till now. I eat about ever 2 hours. Sometime small, usually protein or some time of veggie…..I carry a cooler with me full of healthy snacks. This way I'm never with out the food I should be eating. I've lost 170lbs and have been holding steady at 150lbs for a few months now. My Dr. Goal weight was 175lbs my personal goal was 150. I think the 1 thing an hour is a great Idea!!!!! And you wouldn't feel deprived or hungry.  Hugs, Lisa