5 day pouch test--any takers?

Happy New Year, All!! With one last food event of the season to get through, I'm more than ready to start the 5 day pouch test tomorrow (Jan 2).  I've done this before and have had a good experience....I was able to de-carb myself and get myself back to a basic way of eating, which is my same goal as I start tomorrow.  Weightloss would be a bonus, if it happens!  But, after enjoying this Holiday Season a bit too much this year, my goal is just to get myself back to basics in a structured way. I've already made 2 pots of soup for me and my family to go through the rest of the week....some lentil/barley/vegetable and some chili made with soy crumbles and beans.  I'll use them as supplements as I go back to shakes for a few days.  So, if you plan on starting the 5 day pouch test this week, or just getting back to basics in a way that works for you, let's do this together!  To keep myself accountable, I'll be posting for the next 5 days, and I hope you'll join in on the thread, let us know how it's going for you, maybe post your menu for the day etc.   I know this can be our best year, ever!    Julie

Julie, Though I can't start tomorrow.  I would like to try this.  We've spoken about this a few days ago and I'm trying to still get my supplies ready to go.  I have begun since we talked with increasing my water intake...I got in my 64 oz yesterday!  I bought a 1/2 gallon water jug to carry with me, went to the local GNC and bought 2 of the OH YEAH protein bars (to taste to see if I liked them) and yes I love them!  So will be getting more plus I got one packet of whey protein powder to put into my coffee in place of creamer...that's a little hard to get used to.  There is a post on here about drinking water after having your protein or waiting 30 min.  what have you done?  Is there a limit as to how much you can have on days  1 & 2?  I will try to get back here daily to follow your progress and share mine with you.  Thanks so much for your help! Blessings, Alicia

I just posted on the main board, but let me post this again. I don't get how the 5dpt can decarb us when we are allowed to eat cream soups and bean soups both beans, peas and tomato soups have tons of carbs. I don't see the logic...what am i missing here?

The logic?  To each his own!  This plan does work for me, it may not for you.   Complex carbs, such as legumes, have different effects on different folks, I guess. I welcome the soups to supplement the protein, as I always obsess for varied tastes and texture the first few days of any "plan" I'm following.  For me, the 5 day pouch test is the structure I need to get back to a basic way of eating, just like weigh****chers is for some, or a protein fast is for others.  Perhaps it's just my mind playing a (good and useful) trick on me.  At 4.5 years post-op, I can tolerate just about any food (and I know, thank you, that just because I can doesn't mean I should!) and, because I do have food issues (am I the only one?) it is helpful to follow a prescribed, structured way of eating to get myself back to the prescribed/structured way of eating I lost over 100 lbs on,...it's just too hard to jump right into a full-fledged "right way of eating" for me, I need the limited food choices and the structure!  Whatever YOUR plan is to get back on track, I hope to do it alongside you and to gain support from each other. 

Hi, Alicia.  Just a heads up on the protein bars.....for me, they're like candy. It's hard to stop at just one, and the amount of protein in them is not worth the calories for me.  The Oh Yeah bars are so good tasting!  I'll pick up ONE, once in a while, as a treat.   I've never mixed my protein into coffee....I've heard it can clump up if not done a certain way.  Maybe you mix it into tepid water first? I'm not sure.  I guess you'll have to experiment. For ME, I eat something every 3 hrs or so.  So, no, the amount of food/protein you would eat isn't unlimited.  Calories in = calories out, as always.  For me, it's the structure and limited food choices that are the plus to this plan.  My goal is to stay far away from sugars and simple carbs, that have overtaken my diet.  It's also to break my grazing habit. Good job on the water!  That is also one of my goals.  Since liquid protein is, well, a liquid, I drink after I have them.  It's solid protein that you should wait at least 30 mins to drink....you want your pouch to stay full for as long as possible.   Happy New Year!   Julie

Julie, I like to bars too.  They are good and I am trying to eat it in 20 minutes then it is done.  I have gotten VERY full by doing this.  I've done it twice. (I'm out of bars now...LOL)  The first time I shared my bar with my family and didn't get too full but the second one I didn't have any liquid 30 min before or after but ate the bar in 19 min with 1 min to spare.  Like you I'm trying to eat every 3 hrs.  I'm not sure I can afford to do the 5dpt at this time but I am going to do as much as I can as best I can.  Like: 1) No liquids 30 min before/after food. 2) Eat proteins first, veggies next, then fruit (if I'm not full by then) 3) Eat every 3 hrs...3 main meals and 2 snacks. If I'm forgetting something in the way of rules PLEASE remind me. As far as putting my protein powder in my coffee I use a small mixer add my splenda, miralax, and protein then a small amount of coffee mix then pour the mixture into my coffee cup and top off with more coffee fill it up.  I use a 16oz coffee cup so it turns out really well.  The only problem is I drink so much coffee (3-5 pots) in a day so I really need to try and cut back. Blessings, Alicia

Sounds like you've got a plan, Alicia!  Yeah!   The only other reminder I'd add to your plan (if you don't mind my 2 cents!) is to increase activity.....that is a big part of my plan, as I've used the cold weather excuse to become a couch potato.  Baby  steps, that's what will work for me.   Good luck with your coffee fixation.  I've gone through my cream and splenda withdrawal and find I'm very happy with a big mug of decaf black tea with skim milk, or some spicy chai tea with splenda and skim milk.  I hope you're able to cut back without too much stress. See ya tomorrow!

What does the 5-day pouch test consist of? I have never heard of it. I had surgery in 04 and have gained back about 35lbs. I am trying to go back to the basics this year so that I can get back to my goal weight. Any help would be fantastic.

What does this consist of? I had my surgery in 04 and have gained back about 35ls. I am trying to get back to the basics so that I can return to my goal weight. Any help would be fantastic. Thanks,

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Many people find that just starting back to basics ( 3 small meals and 2 snacks, or 6 very small meals, protein first, lots of water, etc) works for them...I'm not that strong!  The 5 day restricted eating plan will allow me to get to the point where the basic way of eating will be ok, rather than a challenge.  I have about 15 lbs of regain I am going to take off this year!!  The treadmill is dusted off, my ipod is charged, I'm ready!