Question:
WHEN SHOULD I EAT?

I know I should not compare myself to others, but my progress is discouraging me. I will be 4 months post op on 1/23. I went to the doctor yesterday and did a weigh in and I have only lost 13 pounds since my last visit on 12/11, for a over all total of 56 pounds. I visit this site everyday and I read about others who have the same surgery date and they had lost so much more. I thought the more you weight the quicker you would loose it. I started out at 382. I exercise 5 times a week for an hour (treadmill and bicycle). A question that I have should I eat when my body tells me to feed it, or should I stick to a regular schedule and eat my meal even if I am not hungry? I eat 3 meals a day and 2 protein shakes. When a snacking urge hits me, I will have peanuts, peanut butter or lettuce. I have also noticed that when I eat I still eat fast, I keep catching myself and have to slow down    — VIRGINIA F. (posted on January 16, 2003)

January 16, 2003
Wow I'll be 4 months on Jan 20th and I to have only lost 58lbs so were simular although i started out at 270,265 on surgery day I feel some what of a very slow loser and it could be discouraging at times I know. I follow the rules and such but I don't know why I havent lost more....I guess our bodies want to hold on to that darn fat!!!!
   — jennifer O.

January 16, 2003
Have you taken any measurements? It sounds like you are doing a great job! You can't compare! I know that's hard, but it's true. I log into fitday.com at least 2-3 times a week to keep track of what I am doing, most days I am between 700-900 calories, that's what works for me. I make sure I drink 64-100 oz of water everyday too. Keep up what you are doing and don't get discouraged, you are doing good. The excerise is key. The scale is just a scale, you have to look at the overall picture. I usually eat 3-4 times a day with 1 protein shake and somedays I need an extra snack. This has always struck me as odd, before surgery we ate to eat, hungry or not, now we have to sometimes force ourselves to eat. Funny how things turn around so fast. Keep up the good work, in a few months you'll wonder why you were worried.
   — Dana B.

January 16, 2003
I tend to eat when my body tells me too. Early postop I would go from nothing to STARVING in about 5 minutes. I think your loss is very good! When is the last time you have lost 56 lbs? You need to put this in perspective, and just settle in for the long haul. The surgery works, just try to relax into the new lifestyle. I agree with taking measurements! Good luck, you are really doing great!
   — Cara F.

January 16, 2003
Virginia, we live in the same area!! Do you go to the Staple Club support group meetings? You need to as there is lots of support waiting for you. Please don't say "only lost X # of pounds". That drives me crazy. If you start comparing yourself to others who have lost more or faster than you, even those who started at your height/weight/age, you will go nuts. There will always be someone beating you in weight losing. It sounds like you are doing the right things-your exercise is wonderful!! Your protein intake must also be good if you are having 2 shakes a day. Your snacks are also good. I'm a believer in, if you are hungry, eat. Just make it a healthy snack, like fruit or cheese and crackers, p-nut butter on crackers, popcorn...How is your water?? Are you drinking at least 64 oz A DAY? We lose fat thru our urine so the more you drink, the better. Don't get discouraged, just keep plugging away, you have lots and lots of time left to lose.
   — Cindy R.

January 17, 2003
My surgeon emphasizes that eating on a schedule is a great habit to form in the early post-op months. Allowing yourself to eat anytime you feel like it may cause you to snack more than you should - especially down the road when the pouch gets a little bigger. Also, peanut butter is HIGH HIGH HIGH in calories. 2 tablespoons have 190 calories. For me that is an entire meal! I'd find something better for snacking like yogurt or a piece of fruit. The way I look at it, when most people aren't happy with their weightloss progress, it's usually because they know they could be working harder than they are!! I only lost 12 pounds during my second month and it got me really pissed off. Since then I've kept track of every calorie I've ingested, every minute at the gym and every drop of water. I can tell you that it has REALLY helped. I've lost 90 pounds in 5 months. Good luck!!
   — mandajuice