Question:
I am also concerned that I may have stretched my pouch.

I stop when I feel satisfied.    — Cindy D. (posted on April 25, 2001)

April 25, 2001
Are you eating this "meal" in the normal amount of time? If you "graze" and eat until you have ate it all then you are defeating the purpose. I am 7 months post tomorrow and am down 142 lbs. I don't have soda, minimal sweets, and very small portions of a variety of things. I have added vegetable choices to each family meal and when my kids go for the fries and bbq chicken legs, I have pasta salad and carrots or sweet peas. Oh course I have always LOVED vegatables and have no problem eating them every meal, everyday. I have dumped more times than I can count and it is the worst feeling in the world! I have to lay down and let it pass. Probably the best thing for you to try is to start out with smaller meals and eat more often during the day- nothing after 8 PM except water. By eating smaller meals your pouch will not stretch and by eating periodically throughout the day you are raising you metabolisim and you body will begin to burn the food more rapidly. if your brain senses that your starving then it saves up the fat, but if you reverse this effect and your body can continually burn instead, then you will again start to lose the weight. I have lost so much now that I have very loose skin and have started to exercise and build muscle. That is also another thing that you have to consider, if you are exercising and building muscle then you will not see as much weight loss. Five pounds of muscle is less than half the size of five pounds of fat! When you make your choices try to be sensible, choose half an apple over a pop tart, or for a special treat eat half a banana with a spoon full of peanut butter spread around. Another thing that I have found that I can have as a treat is popsickles, sugar free, or regular, and my kids enjoy me sharing with them. Let us know if this helps--LOL! Brenda...
   — Brenda A.