Where things are on 7/14...

 Over the weekend we had the July birthdays party and Monday was my son's 7th birthday. I regained a few pounds with all the junk around. So on Tuesday after the company left and the birthday cake was eaten by my kids and the neighbor kids, I'm doing the 5 Day Pouch Test again. I'm on my third day today and have lost the weight I regained plus a pound as of this morning. Getting back on track with eating protein, eating only 3 meals (not 3 meals plus snacking) and getting enough water. Maybe I should just realize eating carbs, even if they are fruit, is something I just shouldn't be doing. 

 I have been struggling for a while with exercise; ok my entire life. So this week I decided to make exercise another big priority. My goal is to exercise for 2 hours per day which is what my surgeon recommends for someone as far out as I am. I don't think I will be able to find the time when work starts back up in mid-August, but for now...I can and I am. This morning, I went to a 5:30AM step-class and later in the day I plan to take the kids for a walk around a small lake not too far from home. While I still don't like exercising during the actual time I am doing the exercise, I will say that I can see that it is not a complete time waster that I used to see it as. I do see some positive effects in how I feel, even if the laundry pile is bigger and there are more dishes in the sink. 

 I am 1 pound away from my next interim goal of being 208. (what I weighed in 8th grade) This is a big deal for me. I have never weighed this little since I was 13 years old! Next goal onederland...and being 'overweight.' That will be a big deal too since I started this journey at super morbidly obese with multiple co-morbidities. 

 

5:30 am step class??? bless your heart you are a committed woman!!
That walk around the lake will be great for the kids too.  I bet they really look forward to it.  I used to take mine on walks when they were little.  We looked for interrestings such as rocks which we usually brought home.   Good for you!

not sure how this thing works, blogs/forums/groups.I was used to the original forum when I first had  rny wls..., but think this is where I need to be...I went to the store tonight cause I intended to buy some good stuff to eat when I am caught  with out good options...which seems to be a lot...working 40 plus, part time job,didn't get home till 9 tonight, ate 2 go gurts on the way home, a pimento cheese  sandwich and a few chips...quantity may be my problem as much as anything...find that hungry lots now...gained some, never did exercise, never did drink water unless in tea or crystal light... sister and brother had sleeve, and  they are doing good, can't get much help from them...sister is too low and never hungry, and brother...well...brother....nuff said

i know the game plan, all but ran support groups myself, carried the pom poms, but now am a loss of what to do to loose weight.....my blood work is a little off...iron low, vit d low...did really well with them till this year...started early part of year out with hives, had two rounds of pred and still get them....just take otc allergy when they act up which makes me tired as well...

i am not a cook, don't like to cook, but need something to eat that is good for me ....my group had me on the 3 meals / 2 snacks deal and worked,....I still start my day with a protien shake, ....on a different anxiety med that might be giving me probs..maybe thats the hunger part of it...not to mention if it goes on a empty stomach...like last night it comes right back up...efexxor is not my friend...

I stood in the store tonight and all  i could think of was green beans......I get overwhelmed with price per ounce, 10 fo 10, loyalty cards, sugars, calories,  carbs...etc...processed foods are my weekness because i don't plan, don't cook and spend most of the time on the road...I did this before,but lost my pom poms.... will get up tired in the am tomorrow, get a protien shake down, work 12 hrs,and get back about dark tomorrow night...not even sure other than yogurt and bananas, crystal light, and of course greenbeans what I bought that i can have on hand for that long day....going to bed,...thanks in advance for the advice...will check back tomorrow after my day...llc 
120 lb original loss, maintianed..97 lbs....I can tell by picts and the clothes i wear that things are not where i want them even though i got too low...150-160 is good for me...i'm 171 this am...  

First off, glad to see you here. Sounds like your work schedule is getting the better of you. My surgeon recommends 80 grams of protein, not sure what yours does. That is where I always start...protein. Sounds like you are doing something good for you in the protein shake. Does that satisfy you for breakfast? How many grams of protein in the one you use?

Can you take  an ice chest or is there a fridge at your work place you can use? Sometimes, I like the fat free, sugar free Greek yogurt. My local market has started to carry the store brand and it is so much cheaper than Fuge or the other name brand ones, but still just as protein rich. To give it flavor, I use the sugar free Tourani syrups or cinnamon or even curry powder, depending on my mood.

I too get so overwhelmed by the choices and the 'what should I's'....For me, it seems that getting the protein in is the biggest help because it keeps me feeling fuller and is less calories than the other stuff. You might want to check out the 5 day pouch test....Here is a link to the basic plan

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

It is very doable for 5 days, basically just eat/drink protein for 5 days straight and nothing else. It's really helped me to get back on the wagon when I feel like everything is falling apart.

Remember, we may not be able to do it 'all right,' but in small ways we can do 'alright' and build from there.

Thanks for the reply...I use whey protein,milk, vanilla flavoring, bananna, etc...usually choc protien , usually add crystal light wild strawberry energy mix to add to it...lots of days, I have it for lunch and breakfast..  I have a fridge and can eat anything I want if it doen't require a spoon and can be hidden from the customers...receptionist at vet office....have the snack drawer with pretzels, pb, granola bars, etc..do pretty good, but i'm sure graze too much...drink some while eating, before definately, after as well...no carbonated drinks, watch my sugar pretty good...
tried the greek yogurt today and it was good, but not sure if filled me up any more than any thing else...still hungry...got home earlier tonight,...7 oclock...still ate a pimento cheese sandwich  and some chips, will probably have a protien shake before I go to bed...need to go back and post on fitday...it seems to keep me more"in the know"  ....will give it a shot
I also have a few of the packets of samples of the 5 day test and  the book...did it earlier in year and lost a pd. or so...seems like a good idea, gave me something to eat on that didn't hurt me...scale wise...told you i had the pom poms, but forgot how to use them....someone ar work told me today that I needed to show them how to shop at Goodwill....it overwhelms them...I said i would if they would show me how to shop...tomorrows another day...

I too get fluids with my meals. Sounds like you are getting more carbs than you might need. Maybe try protein bars for the hide in the drawer snacks. I've been getting pure protein at Walmart for $1.27 a bar, sometimes at my local market for $1/ bar on sale (my budget is always slim to none, so I watch the sales flyers). It seems if I look at carbs sideways I gain 2 pounds. I know tomorrow the scale won't be so kind, since today was my brother's birthday and my mom brought the family favorite cake. In the moment, oh one small piece won't do me in, but I know in the back of my head that it won't be so good tomorrow when I face the scale.

How often are you weighing yourself? Sometimes I'm not so sure how often I should. Maybe I'll make that a new discussion topic to have others weight in (no pun intended). It sometimes feels like a compulsive behavior. Sure wish exercise could become my new go to thing instead of food. You're right tomorrow is another day.