Question:
Need a "normal" food eating plan, I think I'm sabbotaging myself, I'm not losing anym
I am almost 4mos. post op, I've hit a plateau,depression,feelings of failure and self doubt. I keep trying new food, and when I discover I can eat it , I EAT it. It seems difficult to eat things that are GOOD for you at this point like salad, fresh veggies etc. But easy to eat a whole grain cracker w/ cheese, mashed pot., creamy things and carbs in general. I feel confused at this point and need some daily, or weekly eating ideas,( besides protein shakes), to put me back on track, any plans I could follow, or anyone want to share their own personal one, I just need a little normalcy sp? or is there a website? Thank you in advance. — Gina K. (posted on July 28, 2007)
July 28, 2007
Hello, My surgery was the day before yours. I to have kinda hit a plateau.
But our bodies are adjusting to everything. I am 1 to 2 lbs. away from 50
lbs. and cant wait to hit that milestone(I'll be at 200 lbs.) You really
need to get your protein in first and formost, then worry about fruits and
veggies. Try baked fish with lemon pepper, baked chicken with shake and
bake, meatballs in a little bit of gravy, ham etc. I buy alot of the lein
cuisines, smart ones etc. and I really like them. Plus they come in a
variety of choices and flavors. Also, find a dietician/nutrionist near you,
I have been seeing one since before the surgery. And shes a great help.
Your surgeons office should be able to recommend one, or ask at the local
clinic/hospital. Good luck and stick to the plan. It'll only get better.
— LaurieP
July 28, 2007
I am where you are on some things. I am 4 months out today, and I know I've
lost more, but afraid to weigh myself to find out. However, I don't eat
the higher carb food but maybe once or twice a month. (I'm still fighting
head hunger a LOT and realize now that comes on when I'm bored so I try to
get my mind off it by finding something to do and head hunger goes away) I
have gone to Arby's and gotten their hot ham n cheese, but often take off
the top part of the bun and have them add tomato and lettuce to it.
Zaxby's I get their grilled chicken house salad but can only eat half for
each meal. (which is good) I've noticed on the few occasions I have gone
out to eat, I choose more wisely and I love it. I will not try soda as
yet, as the fear of dumping scares me more than trying that and real
chocolate/surgar/high fat/fried foods like fries and chips. The feelings
of failure and self doubt have crept in, so I'm going to start keeping a
food diary and log my carbs, calories and protein intake. That should help
put my mind at ease and help me cope better. I also buy a lot of the south
beach foods that are high in protein and low in everything else. Most are
the pefect size that I can eat and taste good (except for the beef dishes,
the beef doesn't taste real yuck!) They have cheese that finally tastes as
good as the real stuff but w/out some of the bad stuff that goes with it.
I have also had whole grain 100% organic pasta with spaghetti sauce and
chicken 2 times in the past 2 months. So, see there are plenty of ways to
allow the "bad/high carb" foods in a more healthy way. The whole
grain 100% organic pasta doesn't taste any different than the regular
pasta. Try to make eating veggies and fruits more fun-- veggies steam them
and add some south beach cheese on top...YUMMY! Fruit, try adding cheese,
or make a homemade smoothie using frozen yougurt instead of ice cream
etc...Good luck and enjoy!
— crystalsno
July 28, 2007
Go to this website www.bariatriceating.com. They have tons of recipes. Also
you can go to Barnes and Noble book store and find a book on Bariatric
eating. Goodluck
— Kenipela05
July 28, 2007
If you can eat normally there is no reason why any lowfat, low calorie, low
sugar diet won't help. What abot tring the cabbage soup diet for a week and
see if it gets you off that plateau. Hope I can help. Good Luck
— bderuiter
July 28, 2007
My first advice would be NOT to "TRY" foods that you don't think
you should be eating. I don't want to even attempt to try these things
because like you stated, once I know I can eat em' I think I would
continue. Secondly, carbs are easier to eat than protein and veggies, etc.
Try to limit them. My NUT says to have one meal a day that has carbs. I try
to stick to that. I will have a protein day for breakfast, fruit for a
snack, sushi *(cut roll) for lunch and protein and veggies or fruit for
dinner. If I have cereal for breakfast, I will have sushi (hand roll w/ no
rice) and protein and veggies or fruit for dinner. If I do smoothie for
breakfast, sushi (hand roll w/ no rice) for lunch, I will have like lagsana
for dinner. Third, to get back on track - do your full fluid diet for a
week to jumpstart the weight loss again. Four - remember your food ratios
(given by my NUT). for every 100 calories, no more than 6 grams
sugar/3grams of fat. When you eat - three bites of protein to every bite of
carb, veggie, fruit. Good luck!
— jammerz
July 28, 2007
Plateaus are a real bummer but are also very normal. I had to deal with a
four week one. Thought I would never get past it . Finally wet to my
nutritionist who suggested to up my protein and change my exercise program
to jump start my body. It worked. The only thing I see here I would not try
is the cabbage soup as I think it would send you to the bathroom pronto
especially since we only have half our colon now. I hit up the freezer
section at the grocery for protein and veggie meals that are low calorie.
Some are around 210-230 calories and quite tasty. Take a look. You may find
some that you think you might like. Stay away from the pasta ones. You need
your protein. When you can bring yourself to do it cook up enough for
several meals and bag or containerize it and freeze it. I make up my own tv
dinners. Works great. Good Luck and God Bless. Norma
— njkbutton
July 28, 2007
Hi Regina, thanks for writing. I briefly took a look at your profile page,
it is just beautiful! Lots of color and life. I bet you are beautiful and
full of life yourself! Congratulations on the weight you have lost, and
take a deep breath. First of all, I don't think you are at a true plateau.
A true plateau is the same weight for about 3 months, and you lost weight
within the last month, so your body is not at a standstill. You are
probably sabotaging yourself as you say in your question, but even if you
are, the answer is not depression or self doubt or failure and frustration.
That is not the right road. Obesity is a head issue with a body
consequence. It is great we have surgery, but then our head attacks us in
just the way that you describe. Eating the carbs, submitting to the lust
of our heart instead of doing what is right. You don't mention water or
protein or exercise, so I don't know what your program is, but here is my
suggestion to you. First, go back to basics, cut out all the stuff and junk
and just protein, water and exercise for a few weeks or even a week. Then
look into either overeaters annon or weight watchers and get some support,
also check into a support group for yourself. I am three years out Regina
and I still struggle with my eating habits. I have to let my will make the
decisions to eat not my brain. I eat all the time if I don't. My brain
still wants me fat, my brain still wants the lust, and I have to push my
will to overcome my brain. You will have to do the same. There is no easy
answer, and there is no easy time of it, it is hard work and a true battle.
You sound like a woman full of life, so get your fight on and be prepared
for the battle of your life. I lost 120 pounds by God's grace and a ton of
hard work. I walked 5 miles a day and drank water and ate protein to fight
through the battle of obesity. If you are not doing a lot of exercise, you
need to beef it up there, losing weight is always about diet and exercise.
Your tool works so much better when you exercise. I walked 2.5 miles twice
a day to boost my metabolism, and boy did it. At 3 years out I am still
the same weight and thankful for the success that I have had. If you want
success, then push through the depression and sweat, sweat a lot and fight
for what you want. No one will hand you weight loss (not that you are
asking), you will have to fight for it, and I think you have a lot of fight
in you girl, so bunk on depression, get them beautiful legs working and
stand up for yourself, you are worth it! Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 28, 2007
JOURNAL your food intake; record calories, protein, fat and carbs to make
sure you get in the recommended amounts and ratios. As previously
suggested, get advice for these amounts/ratios from your doctor or
nutritionist.
— cleo66
July 29, 2007
WE ALL HIT THE TIMES THAT THE WEIGHT LOSS IS SLOW. BE VIGILANT AND THE
WEIGHT LOSS BEGINS AGAIN. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT ONLY THE BODY
CHANGES AND NOT THE MIND. WE NEVER LOSE THE DESIRE TO EAT COMFORT FOODS AND
THE FOODS THAT ARE NOT GOOD FOR US. I AM 2 1/2 YEARS POST OP AND STILL
WANT TO EAT ALL THE WRONG THINGS. MY SALVATION IS SOUPS AND IN PARTICULAT
PROGRESSO. THEY HAVE MANY THAT ARE ONLY 100 CALORIES PER SERVING. IF THE
VOLUME IS NOT SUFFICIENT, ADD A CAN OF CHICKEN OR BEEF BROTH. IF I HAVE
DIFICULTY WITH THE SOLIDS IN THE SOUP I PUREE THEM IN THE BLENDER AND HEAT
THEM UP. I FIND IT VERY SATISFYING AND IT DEALS WITH MY CRAVINGS. YOU CAN
THROW IN SOME ADDITIONAL SEASONING OR SOME GRATED CHEESE FOR EXTRA FLAVOR.
GOOD LUCK! DON'T GIVE UP!
— GERALDKALTER
July 29, 2007
Hi Regina I read your question and like you I doubt myself at times but
just remember like the folks have said keep the protein going, liquids and
exercise. Also since I joined the weight loss group TOPS (take off pounds
sensibily) I keep a food diary and weigh in every week at the meetings.
Check them out on the internet as they are very inexpensive at only $24.00
a year and you even get a magazine and loads of support from wonderful
people. Hope all goes well for you and like I said hang in there we're all
there for you. I've lost 107 pounds in almost five months. I've had those
bad days and doubted myself but when I look in the mirror and realize how
far I've come and how far I will go till I reach that goal weight I thank
God I had the wls because it saved my life. Good luck and look up TOPS. I
go to TOPS in Kings Mountain, North Carolina and looooooooove it.
— TrevaDeck150
July 29, 2007
STOP!!! really you had Major surgery 4 months ago and there is no good
reason to be sabotaging yourself you should be proud of the loss you have
and strive to want to continue. Every single person often feels what you
are feeling but we now have this great tool to help us so you need to get
back on track!! I start each morning off with a protein shake I work out
afterwards then have a protein snack of Salmon with FF mayo or Tuna with
the same. Then 2-3 hours later I have lunch which consists of left overs
from the nite before or tuna, salmon or egg or crab meat in a yummy salad..
then 2-3 hours later I have a snack usually of fresh fruits or SF
jello/pudding/popsicle or icecream all SF or I will have some nuts, or
yogurt. then 2-3 hours later is dinner and I always have protein turkey,
veal, pork, red meat, lamb and fish grilled on the BBQ or baked with a nice
fresh salad and sometimes I have some fresh fruit for dessert or a few
hours later I have fresh fruit or some juice or I may splurge have a glass
of skim milk and 4 or 5 cookies from the 100 calorie snack packs... I may
have a bit of popcorn if I so fancy or some nuts... I always get in all my
protein and liquids through out the day!!! to me that is key. I am 4 months
out on August 3rd I have lost over 60 pounds I am in Onederland and I feel
great I am hoping to be down past the 190's by the end of the week coming.
I work out 5 days a week I take the weekends off. I have been working for
1.5 yrs though and have never given up. SO don't give up on yourself
sweetie your worth it. Its worth it believe me!!
Good luck
Hugs
Elisa
— Elisa S.
July 29, 2007
WLS Plateau Buster
Do This For 10 Days To Break A Plateau
# 1 - Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day, as close to 128 oz. if
possible.
# 2 - You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamin
& mineral supplements each day.
# 3 - You may consume up to 3 oz. of the following high-protein foods, 5
times a day:
a.. beef,
b.. pork,
c.. chicken,
d.. turkey,
e.. lamb,
f.. fish,
g.. eggs,
h.. low-fat cheese,
i.. cottage cheese,
j.. plain yogurt (or artificially sweetened),
k.. peanut butter,
l..
beans/legumes.
# 4 - You may also have:
a.. sugar-free popsicles (avoid juice
popsicles),
b.. tea or
coffee,
c.. sugar-free Jello,
d.. broths &
bouillons,
e.. Crystal Lite drinks (Walmart's Brand is the same but
cheaper).
# 5 - IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT!
# 6 - Keep a food diary and try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily.
And check food Labels - Stay away from anything with Carbs as carbs make
you crave more carbs.
— Michael Eak
Click Here to Return