I've been hungry....

It seems like I've been hungrier for the last week.  I'm not sure what's going on.  I have been consistently doing my 90-120 minutes of exercise daily, with more strenuous hikes on the weekend.  But that shouldn't cause more hunger.  I'm taking my Protonix 2x a day, 40 mg each so I shouldn't be having an acid flareup which I heard causes big hunger type symptoms in Sleevers.

I've wanted to eat more but I can't tell if it's because I'm further out from surgery or if it's all in my head.  My only issue, which I don't think is really an issue, is my upcoming birthday.  Maybe I'm subconsciously stressing about it?  I dont' really think so.  Money is ok, work is ok, family is ok, I get to vacation next week.

So I'm back to "is it really stomach hunger"?  My surgeon's voice is in my head saying "NO SNACKING, eat 3x a day!"

I'm eating around 800- 850 calories a day, plus throw in a few more for calcium chews.  Is this normal for 7.5 months out?  I read that Dr. Cirangle  (who is tops in Sleeve surgery)  keeps his Sleevers at under 800 until goal is achieved so I worry that I eat too much.

I'm concerned about the hunger because it makes me want to snack.  Snacks = carbs so I have to dump those thoughts.  I always wonder if it's the tail chasing thing - carbs = more hunger or more hunger = more carbs.  See, it's crazy up in my little head.

So my goal for the weekend, starting today is to rid my food plan of carbs and go for straight protein, just to see what happens.  Of course, the minute I say dump the carbs (which are fruit carbs) I start to whine like a baby.  Then I remind myself that I have a goal to shed 30 pounds by February and sit up straighter and nod, OK no carbs.

So I'm going to throw protein at my sleeve this weekend.  I have been struggling to get in even one shake a day, so I'm going to go make one right now.

If you've read to the end of this, you're as crazy as I am, and I adore you for it! 

I was hoping that by the time I got to the end of your post, I'd have figured out some words of wisdom for you. I got nothing. (Dang!) I'm struggling with hunger too, and I can't figure out if it's my head or my belly. I had RNY so our situations are different in that way too.

I just wanted to say good luck!

 Hey, Good Luck is a great thing to say and much appreciated.  :)

Lee,
So sorry to hear the hunger has come back!
I think with the more strenous hikes on the weekend, it may be causing you to feel more hunger with the increase in your energy demand.
I think your plan of more protein is a great idea.

Big hugs to you!!!

Hang in there.

~Maria

 Thanks Maria.  I've been spending today thinking about all of this while I was out running errands.

all i know is if i tried to do what U do on an 800 calorie a day BREAKFAST i think i would DIE ... ( i know im just USELESS ..... LOL , sorry ) ....

its funny cuz i think im the person that EATS the most and ironically COMPLAINS the most too .... its a WONDER U all put up with me ... Thank You .

Ahh Lee I don't know what to tell Ya except if ya keep doing the best that U can and keep the calories as low as U can U WILL eventually see the results U want . And PS is NOT a dirty word lol !! I DOES make things a lot easier , especially for us hormonally challenged folks , REALLY .

I got hungrier about where U are too...it was an unwelcome surprise to say the least ... Seriously how did i cope ? well i ranted and raved and threw myself against the wall in here a bit .... then i calmed down , made a lot of Oa meetings , drank a small pondful of water lol, became more vigilant of my eating and watched the scale . Which is what im still doing . Is it going down ? Well ..POSSIBLY ...
at least its hopefully not going UP ..lets put it that way ..... the buffets have gone by the wayside ...restaurant meals have been largely cut out , desserts are dangerous .... yeah ... basically food life has lost its spice and its flavor . Im nowhere near as much fun to be around and no longer the "kitchen witch " .

When i first had the surgery they said the first 18 months was the honeymoon - then it gets real ... LOL. GEEZ !! Can i get another GROOM please ?!!

I sit here eating a spinach and pepper salad for lunch with fat free ranch dressing - yummy . Im not hungry at all - before or after . Im HEAD hungry . Ive been head hungry all week- for apple cobbler ,for another Indian buffet , for FOOD glorious fattening rich comfort FOOD . heaping platefuls of it lol.

I made the choice a year ago - yet more gourmet food and ill health and early death or a potentially glamorous and rewarding and long life .... and i chose LIFE yet sometimes ... some days ... OK MOST Days ... i still long for that food darn it ...

its like a ghost that haunts me ...yikes ...let me get my now-narrow butt to yet ANOTHER OA meeting PRONTO !!!

 I'm going to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward.   Getting over the food longings are hard, aren't they?  OA is a great place to process those feelings.

Maybe it's the crisp fall weather... it's possible!  Today is my first day back at work (half day and then I have the weekend) but I find myself feeling very hungry, really for the first time.  I am gnoshing on SF jello at this moment and had about 4 ounces of Roasted Red pepper soup.   I also drank some Isopure this morning.   Hopefully the weekend will be better.

Take care, Lee, and enjoy your trip next week.

Kat70  

 Yum on your soup!  I made some SF jello this morning so that I can have some tonight if I'm hungry.  I haven't had it post-op so I'll see if it appeals to me.

I think you're doing terrific Kat.  Keep up the great work.

A few weeks ago I got really hungry too. I'm in the mid 800 range now, and my NUT is nagging at me to up to about 1000-1200. Without eating crappy food, I couldn't fit that much in a day.

Once again I am going to stress to you that I think you should eat 6 times a day. It is so much better. Look at my menu on M&M's today. I am at 813 calories, but get to eat 6 times. Also, I thought I was moving into maintenance, added fruits and veggies and whole grain crackers, bread, etc. and have lost 6 pounds in the last week.

Hang in there Lee. You are super tough and you have fought tooth and nail for every pound since the beginning. But seriously do some reseach about eating more times a day. It keeps your metabolism going.