Question:
Does anyone else feel depressed about how little they are supposed to eat?
I am 11 weeks and a bit post open RNY and find myself depressed about what I am allowed to eat....which is protein, protein, protein. First the first time I have been experimenting with crackers and more veggies and some low-fat popcorn. WEll...BIG MISTAKE! I have gained weight even though my overall calorie intake was below 1000 calories. I usually try never to go beyond 600 or 800 calories when I am doing all protein, mind you. I feel upset because I push myself so hard when exercising almost daily. I really really push myself to the limit of endurance. Frankly I just want to lay down and die sometimes. I get so weak and exhausted...so I dumbly thought...maybe add a few carbs... I feel like I am the only idiot who feels this way...everyone seems to feel so good by 11 weeks out... I am grateful I have lost 64 pounds...but I just wish it was not such a strict diet... — chealsea L. (posted on October 24, 2002)
October 24, 2002
I actually am just the other way around, I am always told I am not eating
enough, I feel real crappy if I eat more then say 400 calories a day, I
will probably get reamed for that, but I feel so much better if I don't
feel stuffed, if I ate 800 to 1000 calories a day I would be miserable,I do
eat mostly protein, and fresh veggies, soups and broth, I love hot beef or
chicken broth on a cold day,, warms me right up!!:) post-op 02-27-02 -144
pounds and almost 100 inches, starting weight was 270 pounds and current
weight is 126/127 pounds...
— bikerchic
October 24, 2002
In my opinion....I think you are being way to hard on yourself. Just live
a normal life, exercise, eat your protein first and a few carbs are not
going to hurt you. I am so happy with this new tool I have. I eat anyting
I want within reason. I eat protein first and enjoy a few carbs. I never
eat sugar or drink carbonated drinks. Don't forget you water!!! D.
Rutherford 7/5/2002 Open RNY start weight 253, weight now 192.
— DRutherford
October 24, 2002
Hi, I am 10 weeks today and down 48lbs. I eat almost all protein and a
little carbs. I generally eat between 500-800 calories a day and 60-90g of
protein, yesterday I got 100g of protein in. I feel sluggish when I eat
cheese b/c of all the added fat. I met with my nutrionist last week and
she said my diet was great, I just needed to cut out the cheese & my
daily protein bar (snack). I walk alot and work down on wall street and
have so much energy. I am also 32 if that matters. Good Luck to you. Oh,
I eat almost all red meat & chicken if that makes a difference. Plus,
alot of seafood.
— heathercross
October 24, 2002
Oh come on now- 1. Do you weigh yourself too much? Are you obsessing over
the numbers? Try weighing ONCE a month. Or only at Doctors visits. Weight
fluctuates SO much, even in 1 day, and no one's scale is "absolutely
correct" The carbs may have helped you retain water, not FAT!! I hate
to see what happens when you hit a plateau! These thing sare not
"YOUR" fault, your body has a mind of it's own and 2. The
"food being a priority" will change. Sure it's restrictive now,
same as a newborn. I think at 11 weeks, you could taste it now- soon
you'll find you do not "need" to have it in your life regardless.
All carbs are not evil, especially COMPLEX carbs. 3. Take a break, man.
You seem to be pushing yourself into depression, and this is not the
meaning behind the surgery. 4. Go get your labs drawn. Depression is a
well know stage after this surgery- you are losing large amounts of fat,
fat which stores hormones, and hormones make you crazy. Just pat yourself
on the back for all your hard work and take a break.
— Karen R.
October 24, 2002
I seriously doubt that eating carbs caused you to gain weight. The carbs
you chose (crackers and popcorn) might have been higher in salt and caused
you to retain some water. I agree with the previous poster, the chances
that you gained fat are almost non-existant. Your body needs complex carbs
to do its job. If you want crackers, try some whole wheat. They will also
give you fiber, as does the popcorn. Also, 600-800 calories is pretty good
at your stage but if you are exercising extremely hard, it may not be
enough. You may either have to cut back the exercise or add a few calories
every day. I have eaten carbs, both complex and simple, since I was cleared
for soft foods in moderation every single day. It hasn't hurt my loss at
all. Try not to be so hard on yourself and remember everything in
moderation, even exercise. And getting your labs done might be a good idea
since you are so tired. It can't hurt and it will give you a better idea of
where you stand. Good luck.
— Tina P.
October 24, 2002
My thought when I hit the 4 month mark was how LIBERATED from food I felt.
I am covered with the nutritional basics supplementally, so I could eat
freely (minus the milk & sugar I avoid). I love veggies, and them make
them the center of my meal without guilt! (My protein is chocolate) and
carbs did not call to me for quite awhile. I had a token portion of potatoe
or rice only. It was so eASY. I just cook normal meals for the family and
pluck off only what I like (again, minus milk & sugar). I can eat
again in 2 hours if I must, so I don't have to fight the portion thing as
hard. I am still finding it liberating 8 yrs later.
— vitalady
October 24, 2002
Ask yourself some questions: 1) Why did you have the surgery in the first
place? Was it to improve your health or appearance? (2) If it was to
improve your health, is your health better or worse than it was 3 months
ago? (3) Do you do self-defeating behaviors like weigh every day? Try
weighing only when you to go the doctor's office. (4) Have you visited a
nutritionist and asked for help in preparing menus that were appealing,
tasty and within your surgeon's guidelines? (5) Are you beating yourself
up a lot? Dieting will always cause our weight to fluctuate and we can't
expect the scale will always be on a downward spiral. Women retain water.
Weight fluctuates. (6) Have you considered a personal trainer? Even for
a couple fo sessions to design a program for you might help. Not all the
exercise we do is always beneficial in the ways we might expect. (7) If
you're weak and exhausted, have you spoken to your surgeon about this?
Something could be out of kilter in your body and your vitamins might need
adjustment.<br><br>
I'm 10 weeks out today and I'm finding food is just something that lets me
live. I don't (and cannot) live to eat any more. I'm feeling better than
I have in years after this little time. I last went to the doc on October
2 and I'd lost 51.5 pounds at that time. I have no idea how much since.
Count your positives and make your negatives into positives. You've a lot
to be thankful for.
— Cathy S.
October 24, 2002
Believe it or not, you may not be getting in enough calories to continue
the weight loss. With the heavy exercise you are doing, you are burning
calories and the body may just be saying" Alright, not enough
calories, we are going to hoard the fat now to survive". Try mixing
up your diet. Also, do you have to just eat protein? Some doctors say so,
but most of us eat balanced meals which means protein first, then some
veggies and some complex carbs. Popcorn and crackers are fine and will not
effect your weight unless you are eating them round the clock. All of
us,especially those of us that have the terrible habit of weighing daily,
have seen the scale go up a few pounds from time to time. A week later it
will be gone along with a few more, especially at your early stage. If you
can't handle seeing something like that on your scale from time to time
without getting depressed, then don't weigh daily.
— Cindy R.
October 24, 2002
I noticed that 2 things were not addressed: (1) When you exercise hard, you
build muscle and as many people know, muscle weighs more than fat, so you
could have gained muscle weight and (2) Could you be retaining water weight
due to being near "that time of the month"? I always do and it's
always temporary. Also, try to relax a bit and don't be so hard on
yourself. I know most people want to make the most of their "window
of opportunity" but don't let it make you crazy and lose sight of how
well you are doing. :o)
— Jennifer A.
October 24, 2002
I really mourned the loss of my love, my best friend, my comforter and my
stabilizer...food.... when I was an early postop. At 11 weeks postop, your
body is still in shock from such a huge change in eating, volume and
calories. I am not suprised that you feel weak. The question I have is
about Vitamin B-12, are you getting this very critical energy vitamin? It
has to be under the tongue or a shot, because we posties can't absorb it in
pill form. That might help your exhaustion. The early postop diet is a bit
hard to take, but experiment with flavors and good tasting protien
supplements. I was able to eat a little different things at about 3 months,
and today enjoy a wonderful variety of foods. It will get better, the early
part is very tough, but you will get through it! Good Luck to you.
— Cara F.
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