Question:
I WANT THE TRUTH! I want to know...

...how often you REALLY eat during the day? I really wish I didn't have to focus on food, eat six times and day, and enjoy the ONE time in my life when i haven't given a rat's behind about eating. Especially since I'm trying so hard to eat often enough, get enough protein, yadda yadda, and getting virtually NOTHING out of it. I've lost very little weight this past month (4 lbs. during month 4), and i'm very disappointed that since i've "focused" on taking my vitamins, working with weights three times a week, eating 5 times a day, and all the rest, my weight has practically come to a stand still. Back in months one and two, i was eating three times a day and losing weight, and frankly, was enjoying the feeling of not caring when i was going to eat for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE!! Is everyone REALLY eating 5-6 times a day? Or are you just eating when you feel like it (which is not very often)? Please tell the truth! i want to know if some of you who are losing really well are waiting until you feel the urge to eat and are not eating all that much. I really don't buy the "starvation mode> theory. If this was true, we'd have a bunch of normal-weight people running around in third-world countries, and starvation wouldn't be a problem. After days, weeks and months of 600-900 calories, a human body has GOT to take the weight from SOMEWHERE! That is what starvation is all about! Do I sound frustrated? I am... — sweetmana (posted on November 5, 2003)

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November 5, 2003
I am 5 weeks post-op, I only eat 3 meals aday. If I want a snack it is usually a tictac. I drink more fluids in stead of eating. So far, I have done good at losing pounds and inches.
— LeeAnn W.

November 5, 2003
I really don't buy the "starvation mode> theory either, i eat when i am hungry. i have a shake for breakfast and something small late afternoon then dinner, then i eat something at night and sometimes another shake. that depends on if i felt like i got enough fulid in the day. i am 3 pounds from goal and tomorrow will be 1 year. dont stress, just remember to not eat if your really not hungry. that is whst got most of us in the fix we were in, eating just for the sake of eating. good luck.
— terri R.

November 5, 2003
My surgeon's instructions are to eat three meals a day and no snacks. This is what I stick with and it doesn't bother me at all. Figure that your surgeon's instructions are part of making the tool work. Sure you can buy a VCR, but if you don't follow directions and plug it in, what's the point? If I had to eat more frequently, I don't know how I'd get in all the water, even at 1 year post op. Speaking of water, are you getting yours in? About your 'slow' weight loss - you started out as a lightweight so your loss will be slower than a heavyweight. Also, if you just started focusing on weights, you may be gaining muscle but losing fat. Be sure you are taking your measurements. It's funny, in the months when I lose less weight, I get more compliments from people than when I have lost several pounds in one month. About the starvation mode, I do believe this. Did you ever fast? In my experience, I quickly got very tired and didn't want to do anything. This is your body shutting down to preserve it's energy. Remember that people in third world countries never had the opportunity to be fat. Their bodies are doing the best they can to survive on the few calories they get each day.
— Yolanda J.

November 5, 2003
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!"Sorry, couldn't resist. ;-)While I was losing, I ate 5-6 times a day, anywhere between 800-1200 calories (depending on how far out I was). I lost well doing that. I see you've mentioned weights ... are you also doing some heart-pumpin' cardio in there? That will help burn fat too, perhaps more than the weights (which are better for toning). If you are already doing cardio, please ignore my annoying reminder. ;-)I don't think cutting calories back is necessary, or a good idea. I think the smaller, more frequent meals helps our metabolisms work better. Are you doing the high-protein thing (again, ignore the reminder if you are)? Sometimes, shaking up what you're eating (versus caloric total) will help prompt better weight loss, too. Good luck and don't give up!
— Suzy C.

November 5, 2003
Ok, I'm 2+ years out and honestly dont think about how much or what I eat. I try to make good choices and eat protien first, but don't obsess over it. Example, today ---a cup of coffee, lots o' water, chocolate chip cookie, shared two pieces of chicken with my 4 yo son, sweet tea, small serving of manacoti, small salad, asparagas, and more coffee. So actually...if you count the cookie...I ate three times today. I generally have grape nuts or something for breakfast in place of the cookie....but it was a weak moment. :/
— RebeccaP

November 5, 2003
I absolutely do eat 5-6 times a day. those folks who are "starving" in 3rd world countries have not had thier eating cut back by surgery, nor were they ever morbidly obese. they have been deprived of food not for weeks or months but YEARS on end, often since they were small children weaned from their starving mother's breast. so we are not comparable. out bodies were used to being overfed. they have had a sudden shocking decrease in caloric intake. we have the reserves to resist losing weight, truely starving people do not. we have no idea in this country what starving is all about. their are pweple in this world for whom 600-900 calories daily would be a feast, who are living on a little rice and no protein.
— **willow**

November 5, 2003
I can tell you straight up, you have GOT to eat to loose! I am 7.5 mos out, and have lost 104 lbs w/only a one week plateau....I'm now going to share my secret: I have found that the weeks where I have had a day or so of NOT counting every thing I put in my mouth, and where my caloric intake actually varies from day to day by as much as 300 calories, I ALWAYS loose weight! It seems that it keeps my metabolism reeved up and my body does not try to hold on to every calorie as if it were starving. This has proved true for me week after week. Add an extra protien shake in there each day....find a way to keep your calories to upwards of 1000 - 1200 a day. I PROMISE you it will work. If you think about it, it just makes sense. Your metabolism will not slow down because you body will not go into starvation mode. Try it for a week or two...all you have to loose is pounds! My daily food reguimine is like this (during my 4 day work week): I have a protien shake in the morning; my first break at work I eat a chicken breast; for dinner, a Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine (I can finish an 11 oz one most days!)on my second break, I have a 1/2 of a DeTour or OneWay bar; then at night, when I get home, I have a piece of fruit or something similar. My three days off are the hardest for me to eat right...meaning, I eat more often and more stuff that I shouldn't. The result appears to be that the constant flucuation in calories seems to keep my body burning more effciently. I don't worry too much anymore about my days off now...I am still cautious, but I don't beat myself up if I eat something that maybe I shouldn't have. Best of luck to you!!
— Andria T.

November 5, 2003
My doctor's program calls for three meals a day...period! For a long time I found it hard to even do this without forcing myself to eat. Then at about 8 months, my weight loss started to slow down and bounce around a bit so, I decided that I must need to eat more. Well, I did end up eating more like 4-5 times a day and pushing my calories up closer to 1000 and it didn't work! Then, I was really frustrated. Finally, I went against the 'general consensus' and cut my calories back to 600-800 a day and the scale started to move again! Now, a few weeks later, I 'tweaked' my routine again by adding another protein drink or two each day. So, now I drink 3-4 protein drinks a day and eat 3 times a day for a total of around 800-900 calories a day and the weight is just falling off again! Of course, I have also started lifting weights again on a regular basis. So, as you can see, we all have different things that work for all of us. I would definetly keep up with the exercise which, is easier said than done...for me anyway. Make sure you are getting in all of your water. Then, from there maybe try tweaking your diet for a week or two at a time until you find something that works for you. Good luck! rny1/31/03 - 274/149/135
— eaamc

November 5, 2003
OK, I eat 5 or 6 times a day. I need to, or I get very shakey. Here's a sample of my typical day - breakfast is instant oatmeal and canteloup; mid-morning snack of half a Nitro-tech protein bar; lunch is half a turkey, lettus, tomatoe and cheese wrap; mid morning snack of the other half of the Nitro-tech protein bar; dinner is some meat and maybe a bit of brown rice; and maybe, if I want it, an evening snack of a Welches fruit popcicle. I'm 9 months out and down 90+ pounds, with about 10 or 15 to go to be in a "normal" weight range for my height. Unlike a lot of people, I have been hungry from the very start - even in the hospital - but this daily regimen I just described is very satisfying for me. I DO need to eat frequently, though, or my blood sugar drops to the point that I literally can't function. As far as starvation mode is concerned: Well, it's not a fallicy. It's real. But it just means that your body becomes much more efficient at using the calories it has. Of COURSE you will lose weight on 500 calories a day - if that was all you ever ate, eventually it would kill you. But you body will shut down other functions (reproduction, growth, immune system) in an attempt to use the few calories it has to support vital functions. THAT is what starvation mode is. It doesn't mean that you WON'T lose if you don't eat very many calories; but it's not healthy or sensible to force your body to redirect its energy resources at the expense of some vital functions just to lose weight.
— johanniter

November 6, 2003
My Nutritionist always stated, from the beginning, to only eat 3 times a day. She does permit a snack once to twice a day, but not the same amount as you would eat during a meal. I have a hard time with breakfast (so I have been doing a protein shake in the am) so I will have a snack around 9 or 10 (usually string cheese). Then have lunch around Noon, sometimes a snack again about 3 or 4 and then a late dinner. If I dont have that afternoon snack, I usually eat dinner around 5. I cannot tell you how many calories I am eating as I dont keep track. And on the weekends, things are way different. Sometimes I dont remember to eat until about 2pm! (I know, not a good habbit). I am 6 months post op and have been losing a pretty containt of 3 pounds per week for the last 2 or so months. There has only been one week that I didnt lose anything.Good Luck with your Journey!! ~~Wendy D, RNY 4/23/03, -117 lbs~~
— Wendy D P.

November 6, 2003
OK, I'm 16 months out and here's a typical day for me: 7AM protein shake + vits 10AM protein shake + vits or a snack like a protein bar 1230PM chicken salad + 8 club crackers 230PM protein shake + vits 5PM yogurt + flaxseed meal 630PM dinner of whatever, usually meat + veggie 9PM protein shake or snack if I'm hungry (nuts or protein bar)------------------------------- I consider the first protein shake a "meal". It's my breakfast. I then have lunch and dinner + 3 snacks. I eat when I'm hungry and I do better during the work week than on weekends. I get distracted at work and forget about eating. Don't get distracted at home and think about eating too much. I'm down 134 lbs. but still about 40 pounds from goal. Not losing right now but not gaining either so I'm happy.
— jutymo

November 6, 2003
There's really no typical day for me anymore. Somedays I eat 4 or 5 small meals a day, some days I don't even think about eating and have 1 small snack and 1 small meal and that's it. I usually remember at about 10 PM that I have forgotten to eat since lunch. But other days, I just feel hungry all day long. I try to stick to mostly protein based meals and make sure I am also eating a little bit of vegetable every day, but I don't deprive myself either. If I want a piece of Halloween candy, I have it, or if I want a bite of mashed potatoes, I have them. I think it's about balance. I "try" to stick to mostly protein but some days I eat more carbs than other days. Other days, I don't seem to eat any carbs. I guess it all balances out. Also, I find that when I am stressed, I eat less. That's what I am going through right now. I have a lot to deal with in life right now and food is just not welcome in my knotted stomach. I'll be 9 months out on the 10th and I am down 116 pounds.
— Janet S.

November 6, 2003
Hi. You can eat less if you want. Just up your protein drinks. You may go into starvation mode. Honestly, you sound a lot like me. Now that I am using weights, the weight loss has slowed a bit. But don't let anyone talk you into giving up the weights. Having muscle is the secret to losing weight and keeping it off. Cardio helps burn fat while you are doing it, but working your muscles means it takes more calories all day long to feed those muscles. I do 7 days a week of cardio (anywhere between 30 to 60 min) and 2-3 of weights (30 min). I worry my weight loss is slowing, but frankly, I eat 1200 calories a day to maintain my exercise routine. I have accepted that it is not going to come off like someone who is only eating 600 a day. Starvation mode does apply to you because you are working out.
— mrsmyranow

November 6, 2003
I am 16 months out (with a pregnancy in between). In the beginning I wasn't hungry much at all so I just ate about 5-6 times per day on purpose. But eventually the hunger returned....which is ok because I still can satisfy it with a small amount. Now, I typically eat around 5 times a day because that's what my hunger tells me. Occasionally, I don't eat that much if my work schedule is too crazy. But that seems to work for me. I am 3 pounds below goal and have just been maintaining for about the past 4 months. Good luck!
— emilyfink

November 6, 2003
I'm 2.5 years post op and eat whenever I'm hungry. IF I'm not hungry I don't eat. I probally eat 4-7 times a day. Very small meals. Seems to work for me.
— Danmark

November 6, 2003
I believe in the starvation mode theory. I lived on 500 calories a day for around 18 months, with over exercising with it. I only lost 25 pounds in that time. Plus I've done alot of fasting for 7-10 days at a time. (It is NOT true that after 3 days you no longer are hungry!). Anyway this starvation thing I did really messed up my metabolism. Personally I know that this was probally what lead up to me having to have wls because of all the starvation.
— Danmark

November 6, 2003
My opinion... Do what works best for you.Many hit plats. at 4 months. In a year you will be singing a different tune.It happens over and over here at AMOS. Remember..it did not take you 4 months to become obese or even a year for that matter. Hang in there!!!
— Cindee A.

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