CrossFit and Paleo
Hello - I haven't checked this board in years. This is largely a re-post of a reply I just made on another thread.
I just celebrated my 10 year anniversary, and am happy with my weight, although I have had to make adjustments along the way to fight re-gain. I have still kept 118 pounds off. I highly recommend that post-surgery folks research "The Paleo Lifestyle." I am a CrossFitter, and that has definitely helped me continue to be successful (it actually helped me lose 30 pounds I had put on with a wonderful post-surgery pregnancy), but you can't out-train a bad diet. FYI, Bob Harper on The Biggest Loser has become devoted to CrossFit and you see him using that on TBL; those amazing athletes he had on the show Monday were all elite CrossFitters (but CrossFit can be scaled for anyone at any level).
10 years ago, my surgeon recommended that I focus on eating meat, and then eat vegetables and some fruits, and stay away from dairy and wheat products (and obviously sugar). It was by following this plan that I lost all the weight. I was so surprised to learn a few years ago that his nutritional prescription actually fits right in with the Paleo way of eating. The great part about this is there is a whole movement based on this way of eating, so there are a ton of resources on the internet - and they are geared at elite athletes and very healthful people, so you don't have to feel like an "outsider" following the plan. Research Dr. Loren Cordain (http://thepaleodiet.com/) and then just start exploring. There are some great recipes on Health-Bent (http://www.health-bent.com/) (although I'd avoid the "baked goods" items until you are in a maintenance mode), and some great information on how to get back to a low carb lifestyle by Dr. Mike Eades (http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/). You don't have to feel like you are having to follow some strange post-surgical lifestyle and are ostracized from "normal healthy people;" the same plan that works for amazing athletes works for us too.
This has been the secret for me to finally make sense of food and be in control of my health. I hope it helps some of you who are struggling find the way too.
And, BTW, here's some information on how to make the transition away from sugar - http://chriskresser.com/paleo-diet-challenges-solutions-iii-stop-energy-dips-cravings?inf_contact_key=5486819c42f53b8c63703e4455057992c2bfafc4e3ef2907b321837759f8aaec. Remember, sugar acts on your body like a drug, and you go through withdrawal. You will need to have a plan to beat it, but you will feel so much better when you do.
I agree with your recommendations to do the Paleo lifestyle after weight loss surgery. I follow the Primal BluePrint (very similar but allows some dairy) and it has enabled me to keep my 100 lb weight loss from RNY off for 10-years.
I highly recommend the Primal BluePrint 21-Day Total Body Transformation to WLSers wanting to transition to this plan of eating. It is a 21-day plan that guides you through shopping and stocking your pantry, exercises, daily affirmation and challenges, and of course eating. I wrote all about my 21-day total body transformation on HealthCentral. You can read the series of articles beginning here: http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/149743/transformation
The Paleo and Primal diets coordinate with the recommended eating plan for WLSers as stated in the Pouch Rules for Dummies. You can read more about that in my article here: http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/139125/bariatric-tools
I hope that these articles are of help. I cannot emphasize enough the vital importance of eating this way in your ability to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. Cheers to lifetime obesity management!
Living life well-fed,
My Bariatric Life
