Questions about "Protein Train" and "Back to Basics"

Dee-If I was you I would recount and think of your time being from the date of your revison. At least from a worrying about the two year thing standpoint. Also--re the soda-I am not a believer in soda stretching the pouch or anything like that--but I would be concerned about the acidity damaging our little tiny pouch. Have a great day.

Hi Betsy, Just wanted to say I strongly disagree with Valarie. She is fortunate to be able to eat carbs and lose weight but some of us don't have the metabolism for them. I kept my calories below 700 a day, carbs below 20 grams up to month 16 and was still not a fast loser. I worked out at least 45 mintues a day and often did two workouts a day. I hear others talk about limiting their calories to 1800 a day or carbs to 125 gms. As I complained about being a slow loser some would say I was in starvation mode. I tried increasing the calories to 1000 but every time I did it I gained weight that week. All bodies are not created equal and anybody who thinks they are lives in a dream world. As my surgeon told me age, yo-yo dieting, diabetes all play a part in my being a slow loser. We each have to figure out what works or doesn't work for us. I did that by logging every bite I ate on FitDay for months. I will admit to sometimes being surprised when I'd log a food, but I remembered the lesson the next time I was tempted to eat that food. We each have our own metabolism and have to deal with it. Some things I picked up along the way: (1) Snacks have to be protein based (10 almonds, 6 pork rinds, 1 oz cheese are my favorites). (2) Logging my food kept me honest, because I didn't want to admit even to myself that I'd eaten 4-6 crackers. By making the rule that every bite had to be logged I often chose to skip the crackers and just eat the cheese, etc. (3) I eat to live now, no longer living to eat. (4) If plain old protein doesn't taste good sometimes, so what. It is nourishment to my body and that's why I'm suppose to eat. Food isn't entertainment, it's to make my body function. (5) Now that I'm at goal if I see too many carbs creeping into my diet or see the scale creeping up a few pounds I go on a strictly protein diet to get my eating in control again. It's hard the first day or two but then the addiction to carbs passes. I don't even limit how many times a day I eat when I'm eating all protein because to be honest it's so boring that I seldom go over 700 calories. I realize you have a lot more experience at this than some of us answering your post. I respect your experience, but I hope if I ever send a post as you did today that somebody will remind me that going back to basics isn't fun but it still works. Best of luck for your continued success. Yes you are a success, the slight regain doesn't take away from the great job you've done in losing and keeping most of the weight off.

Pat - Thank you so much for your response. Sometimes it's difficult to keep in mind that we are all created differently, that we have different metabolisms, and we react to foods differently. I realize that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. I used to lead my surgeon's support group in Wilmington NC before moving to the Chapel Hill area 5 months ago. Well as of 5 months ago, like I said before, I was on top of the world. I used to tell my support group that they should be able to eat whatever they want, in moderation, once they reach goal. I did that for a year and it worked fine for me. Guess what: it didn't work for some in my group. Many of them were already struggling with increased appetite and carb cravings. I should have learned the lesson then. My carb cravings didn't start until I was just over 2 years out, along with the increase in appetite. Another thing I used to tell them is we are all a work in progress, and that what works at one point in our post-op journey may not work at another, and that you will need to adjust the rules when that happens. Well it's time to take my own good advice, and I know that now, but it sure is easier said than done. So now I'm logging my food into Fitday, and I'm desperately trying to break the carb habit - like I said, easier said than done. Those carbs are like a drug, and I'm the drug addict! But I'll work at it, and I'll keep reading these posts, and asking for help along the way. Although you've obviously struggled along the way, you sound like you really have it together. Keep up the good work! I look forward to communicating with you further. Thanks again, Betsy T.

I enjoy another board called the "Over 50" board. The people are mature and discuss things in a more mature fashion than the main message board. Some like the wls grads board are several years out from surgery, which might be beneficial to you. There are people on the board under 50, but they seem to have old souls. Like any group it takes a while to get comfortable with the group but the faces quickly become familar, since there aren't as many people posting on that board. Just a thought if you'd like to visit sometime.

Hi Betsy from one Carb Addict to another. I agree w/Pat, not all can have certain carbs in moderation. I for one can't have sugar. One bite and I'm hooked. Just like the any other addict. So I choose not to indulge in it. One day at a time. On the other hand when I have allowed myself to have the crunchy type of carbs, they took over too! One cracker turned into the whole sleeve, a few chips turned into the whole bag and so on. I too put a few extra pounds on after 2yrs. and I did the protien platue buster to detox from the bad carbs. I did well and I'm not craving them because they are out of my system. I put good carbs back in. I still want some bad carbs from time to time, but I haven't given into them. I guess I am determined to stay on track because this feels better than overeating does. I'm tired of the guilt and the struggle to detox so I am making wise choices. I wish you much success and I am here if you need someone to walk you through it. Your not alone and you don't have to go through this alone. You took the first step in admiting that you are out of control and now I urge you and encourage you to take the next step. Fight off those carbs as if they were a robber trying to enter your home to steal you of your prized possesions. You worked hard to get where you are and only YOU can stop the madness! You can do this Betsy! I believe you WILL do this. Check in oftern and be accountable. Take care, Your Gastric Buddy, Jeannie

I tend to be more on the train of thought Pat mentioned- Carbs are a problem- for you. They make you snack and they make you want more. Boy, do I know first hand. My Nutritionist and surgeon are from the three meals/no snacks school. They believe snacking leads to grazing, leads to uncounted (too many) calories. As we got further out they would modify it to if you "snack" it must be protein or veggies- no carbs! As to your question, will I never be able to have carbs for a snack? How about planned carbs in your meal where you can control them? Having put my 2 cents in- I have yet to reach goal and not as far out as you. But I do know I had to DETOX, cold turkey from bad carbs for a week before the cravings subsided. Good Luck!

These responses have been terrific. It appears I'm not alone - the devil is in the carbs! I have taken [all] your advice and have started my carb detox, or protein train, or whatever it is called, and I actually think I might make it through day one. I logged everything into FitDay. I had protein for my 3 meals, plus protein (chicken & string cheese) for snack. I just had a salad with chicken and toasted sliced almonds. So far I'm doing okay with the cravings, but it's only a little past 6:00. Keep your fingers crossed. I may have to check in for a few days to stay accountable. You guys are the best!!! Betsy C.

Great job Betsy! You made it through this far and I know you can make it through the rest of the night without giving into carbs. You have two choices. Give into it or not. You will kick yourself if you give in and you will feel successful if you don't. Even if you choose to have the carbs, there is always tomorrow. But there is no time like the present. I promise it will get easier w/each day that passes. And it surely will pass. Hang in there my dear. You are worth it! Keep checking in as much as you need to. We will be here for you. Have a Blessed night! Jeannie

My Nutritionist and surgeon are from the three meals/no snacks school. They believe snacking leads to grazing, leads to uncounted (too many) calories. --Mary--My surgeon and nutritionst went to the same school. The further out I go, the more I can see their point. Grazing is the devil! (along with Cape Cod potato chips--for me)

Okay Ladies! Now that I have met all you 2 yearers, I now know that I am where I need to be. I can even say that I need to be here, because I have even started binging again! I havent had this problem since my surgery 2 years ago this sept 23rd. I think that the 3 meals no snacking is also a good thing. Grazing is my enemy! Is it okay to have the Achieve Coffee drinks on the protein train? They are the sugar free version of starbuck drinks in a bottle. Tommorrow I vow to start on the protein train and exercise for 30 minutes! Thanks everyone for being here!