Question:
HELP!!! I am afraid of falling off the wagon!

I need to loose 10% of my weight and you guys are awesome.....because you all understand what my struggles are,I have lost close to 20lbs and have 10 more to go before surgery and I have started working out at the local gym and have kept to my strick 1200cal diet (so far) but I feel like I want to eat every thing in sight, any suggestions on how to keep my mind off food? Plus I am starting to feel so fatigued and just want to rest I had alot more energy before my diet.    — elizabethgc (posted on February 14, 2008)

February 14, 2008
Your doctor will be please that you got the first 20 lbs off, but getting your mind off of food is hard until you have had the surgery and things just don't go down like they use to. I was a snacker for years, but now I can stand to snack. As far as your engery, you need to be taking vitimums and minerals. My doctor told me what I would take following surgery so I got those brands and started before surgery, while I was dieting. One thing that will help is B-12. You can get a spray that goes under your toung twice a day at walgreens and other drug stores. I can only handle chewable vitimums, and I get it from www.buildingblocks.com. They are for people that have had wls.
   — William (Bill) wmil

February 14, 2008
You may be suffering from what post op patients refer to as 'head hunger", where you've already eaten your meal, and your head is telling you that you need to eat more. Keeping your mind off of food may require you to eat meals not watching TV, OR keep busy with houseowrk or developing a hobby or some endeavor to keep you mind on something besides food. You may want to try to eat smaller meals 5-6 times per day. Make sure you have healthy snacks during the day, such as dried peas, or a few almonds. Both high protein sources. Try to adopt the post op protocol that your surgeon has establsihed PRIOR to surgery. This will help you in the first few weeks of post op transitioin. I never counted calories,I; avoivded sweets or sugary foods, stopped drinking sodas, watched portion contorl, drank as much water as I could ( I was never a water drinker) and started walking for exercis. Good luck DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

February 14, 2008
I had struggles with not eating, and I don't know if it was the mental addiction to food or physical addiction to food. I tried a cleansing program, recommended by a friend, and not only did it help me release weight, but the best part is the cravings went away, so it was easy to eat cleaner. Feel free to email me if you want to know more about my story- [email protected]
   — eacoffey

February 14, 2008
I just came back from surgery last week, I remember going thru the same struggles you are going thru.... U R so close! U have come down this long and difficult journey. Keep up the good work and you will be there sooner than U know it.
   — missionaccomplished

February 14, 2008
You are tired b/c your body strived on tons of food it did not need. Now that you cut back your body is dying for that food. It does not need that food. Take the vitamins, B12, B1, multi vitamin it will help. also drink plenty of food. Eat some salads mix it up a little bit with different toppings dressings chesse and more. That made me lose my 20 in a month. So keep it up I have been there and you are doing great. NO POP, do not drink while you eat...that will help too. you can do it, do it for your health
   — tl_morgan

February 17, 2008
Hang in there! Exercise, while tiring at first, should give you some additional energy once you get into things. I am absolutely miserable on a low cal diet *unless* I'm really really really watching my carbs. Stick to lean protien... chicken, fish, lean beef or pork. Make sure your carbs are coming from green veggies... grain (even whole grain), peppers, potatoes (white/sweet/red), corn, tomatoes, and squash all have a lot of carbs that can cause you blood sugar to spike, releasing insulin (often too much in those of us who are overweight), causing hunger and cravings even shortly after you've eaten. Keep yourself busy... don't bring snack foods or foods that trigger cravings into the house... much easier to say no when food isn't easily accessible. When you are hungry, distract yourself by going for a walk, reading a book, working on a puzzle or craft.. call a friend... log on to OH and read success stories.... find someone on OH who is also struggling and send an message of support. Congrats on the 20lbs! Keep up the good work. Sid
   — mrsidknee