Good Morning. Tricks You've Learned

I'm still a big believer in using smaller plates/bowls even at 2+ years out.  I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've used a regular full size plate since surgery.  It continues to help with portion size.  Now that being said, my hands did not shrink much after surgery so I must be very, very careful when sticking my hand in a bag of chips. lol.
That will always be a struggle.  But DH and I are working on making better choices these days.  It has really helped me get back on track since we are doing it together.  It's kind of like the light bulb finally came on for him.  He was constantly telling me that he does not eat that much.  But I tried to explain to him it wasn't the quantity but the quality of what he was eating.  He's finally starting to get it and now as I type this, a lightbulb of sorts is going on for me.  Obviously my intake is far less than it was pre-op so I eat a lot less, but talk about the pot calling the kettle black as I think back on the quality of my food choices these last few months.  Heeeeeeeeeello!!!

Oh well, as they say, it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, is it??  It's a new dawn, it's a new day and I'm feeling good!!

Julie

If the *smell* of your protein drink gags you - drink from a cup with a lid on.

Set the alarm on your cell phone to remind you to take your Vitamins.

Next...............        Cindy

 if the smell  in Ur blender's  gagging U  old protein powder is probably  dried onto  the part around the blades ... soak  it and scrape it off with a knife .....

I learned the hard way to be REALLY  vigilant  about washing the darn blender  the minute i make my   one scoop  protein teas creamers .....  if U  rinse and give it a quick scrub then.... !00 %  no smell ever ...

I have a pair of very small s-biners (like a carabiner clip, but smaller and s-shaped - see this http://www.amazon.com/SB1-2PK-01-Size-1-S-Biner-Black-2-Pack/dp/B001DZNZZI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1287590128&sr=8-2) on my water bottle. There are 8 colored rings on the top clip like these http://www.bluebuddhaboutique.com/supplies/anodized/coloredjumprings/index.php. Every time I refill my water bottle, I move a ring to the bottom clip. It helps me to know if I've slacked off on my water consumption, or if I'm guzzling.

I also have a small wallet like the mini skinnys on this page http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/-walletswristlets_smallwallets-10551-10051-38471-en?t1Id=5000000000000013510&t2Id=38471&tier=2&LOC=LN that holds 2 doses of vitamins that will also clip to my water bottle so that everything is together.

That makes it much easier to keep track of the necessaries!

I also pack/load the day before: when I get home from school, I pack all my proteins, veggies, and fruits as well as one shake for the next day into a container in the fridge, and load my vites into pocket sized vitamin containers and then put that in the same container as the food. Come morning, all I have to do is load the cooler with food, put the vites in my pocket and my little wallet, and I'm ready for the day.

When I get in a sandwich mood, sometimes I use leaf lettuce as the bread on my sandwich.  It makes a great wrap and you don't have the carbs of bread.

I also still use the smaller plates and bowls.

I do weigh and measure almost everything. 

Great tips everyone.

Linda

Put your fork/spoon down after EACH bite.  I find I can shovel just as fast into my mouth now and as big of pieces than pre-surgery.  This way I have to chew my food very well and it takes me longer, thus I get fuller faster....

Oh - and Ava, I need to try the shakenbake zucchini too!  That sounds awesome!

I eat protein first, veggies then others.  I rarely get by the veggie part.  Last spring I wasn't eating well and my honeymoon was pretty much over and it caught up with me, since then, I've got back to basics and am very diligent in eating protein rich meals.  Its the snacking I've taken control of - which was a big problem for me.  Now I've developed reactive hypoglycemia - I'm more conscious than ever about carbs...

Now - my inbibing in my adult beverages?  Yea, I need to cut that down too... one thing at a time!

Great idea Gina-
Ava raved about your Chai recipe. I would love to try it ;)  Thank you!

Kathy 

This is how i make it Kathy ( by the potful - im a crazy tea addict ) - first thing in the morning i put a 1/ 2 gallon of water in a pot with 4 chai tea bags from starbux and boil to death ...... i want it really strong because im diluting it over 2/3 with protein shake ...

then when its boiled like 10 minutes - i mix up my shake - 2/3 of a cup filtered room temp water and one scoop banana isopure . Blend - pour into big mug .... top with very hot chai tea .

YUMMO

i usually have two of these - between them and my handful of vitamins im raring to go for my morning run .....

i love tea for two reasons - one it makes Ur metabolism slightly faster so U lose a bit of weight ( the studies say switching from coffee to tea actually keeps off 10- 15 lbs over the course of a year)

and two-- unlike coffee .. U dont get the highs and lows and U dont need to keep drinking it every few hours unlike with coffee.

My two teas are plenty to keep me working out then working all day .....if im really tired and need to keep going i MIGHT have protein coffee around 3 pm .... but thats it .

 AVA-

Just bought a box of Starbuck's Chai tea.   But Banana Isopure, you say?  hmmmmm.  I thought Isopure was a liquid drink.  Is this how Gina makes hers as well?  I do like banana.  I'll pick some Isopure up tomorrow and give it a try!

Thanks for the recipe!

Great ideas from all. the one thing I can add is a tip from Diane S from the VSG board. adding a little unsweetened,high quality cocoa powder to choc protein shakes cuts the sweetness and gives them a more adult,rich chocolate taste. That tip has saved me from giving up on protein shakes from the sweetness.