lsereno

I didn't eat nuts till more than 6 months out. Lynda

Hi MG2, Good to see you too! I love the vets forum. I pop into the other boards to offer advice to newbies here and there, but it is so nice have a space that addresses issues I have now. I'm one year at goal, but I have to watch it. It would be so easy to regain now. Lynda

Early out, I got the smallest serving I could for ice cream or other treats. If dairy is an issue, try sorbet. When I first started eating, I used a clock with a second hand and waited a full minutes between each bite. And sometimes I could only eat about 1/4 cup. Just stop when you are full even if it's not enough. You can always have a little more later. lynda

Tiffykins, who was a great resource for me when I first joined this group had this same issue. Her bones were heavier from years of being obese. And you will have extra skin. I suggest shooting for the Dr's goal and then seeing how you feel at that weight. Another frequent former poster, Lil Miss Diva, looked fabulous at a BMI higher than normal. I think she has the same issues with heavier bones. Plus she exercises like a fiend and muscle weighs more. Lynda

Haha, I can eat a medium bag at the movies now. Takes me the whole movie but yum yum! I don't have it often, but it is good. It's very important to learn to manage your favorite foods because as time goes by the sad fact is that restriction for these foods will not be enough to keep you from gaining weight. I do enjoy treats but I have managed to stay at my goal weight for a year. When I see the scale creep up, I back off. I know this is what people who manage to stay at the same weight do too, so I don't feel all deprived and bitter about it. Lynda

Are you on an antacid? Some people are helped by them. And some people are not fortunate enough to lose their hunger post op. Even with hunger, you can work the sleeve. Stick with Protein first. Lynda

I'm having a hard time determining your BMI from your ticker: it lists your weight as 139 and BMI of 22.3. If you are currently at 124, your BMI is probably closer to 20. So if that is correct, I don't think you should lose another 10. I am happier, stronger, and healthier as a thin person, but I don't look in the mirror and see a perfect body. I am saggy and wrinkly and that's the way I'm gonna stay! I am still surprised to see myself in mirror sometimes and I have been at goal for a year. And I still have down days, health issues, and wish I was stronger. Negative self talk happens to everyone. Just catch yourself and ask what you tell a friend. That's what you should be telling yourself. So for me that message is: "Great job! Aren't you feeling wonderful now? I'm so proud of you! You look great!" Lynda

1200 might be closer to what you will eat in maintenance. I would try cutting back a bit more. I kept under 1000 while in weight loss mode, with the occasional splurge. Also, you might be miscalculating some portion sizes. I use a scale for most foods. It's really easy to get used to weighing things. I put the dish on the scale, zero it out, and add food. Finally, everyone is different and maybe you are at the right weight for you. My Dr. told me that if you are exercising, the health benefits between being overweight and a normal BMI were not measurable. And overweight BMI who exercised was more healthy than normal BMI couch potato. Lynda

Oh my. Thanks for a good laugh!

If I'm hungry, it pretty much has to be Protein to fix things up. I am for 2 ounces and nothing else. I wrap a slice of low fat deli meat around a low fat string cheese for a snack.The string cheese and lunch meat clocks in at under 100 calories so it's perfect. I often buy the costco roast chickens. A couple ounces of chicken (no skin) is another fav for me. Also under 100. Lynda

I weigh daily. When I was in the losing phase, I only tracked my weight on Fridays. One week is too long for me. If the scale creeps up, I cut back. Lynda

I ate around 800-1200 calories a day while I was in weight loss mode. I get around 1500-1800 a day in maintenance, I'm 56 and I exercise at a moderate pace 2-3 times per week for 450-minutes to an hour. Lynda

I don't think the knee pain is related to not getting enough Water. Probably just overuse. It takes more than a day to recover from wearing out a body part. I sometimes walk too much and it affects my foot. Takes about a week or more for my foot to recuperate. Of course, I'm 56, so things heal slower than they used to. The nausea is a classic dehydration signal for me. lynda

I say Thanks and move away from them. I don't waste time defending myself. Lynda

I'm with you fellow sleevies! Coming up on my two year surgiversary and one year at goal weight. I have to track and monitor or I wouldn't be at goal. I planned for a goal that allows for 5 lbs either way, but I prefer not to get to high end of my bounce range before I ratchet back the Snacks and drinks. I still weigh daily and I weigh Protein unless it's lunch meat. Lynda

Congrats on your one year surgiversary! Or, as I like to call it, my second birthday :-) Lynda

June13, We have been on this journey so long together! I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling. When you are out shopping, how about some low calorie salty and crunchy treats like cucumber or celery with salt? I also like sugar free hot apple cider mix, sleepy time vanilla tea with splenda, and the starbucks instant decaf coffee so I can have something yummy to sip that's calorie free. And I think you should be yourself a treat that is not food. I love getting a new lotion or lip gloss. I use a white board that sticks to my fridge door to track what I eat each day. Are you exercising? For me, I have to do it first thing or I won't do it. I lay out my exercise clothes and get up a little earlier so I have time to exercise before I do anything else. Sending loving thoughts your way. Lynda

Well for me, my health has not improved as much as I'd hoped. And I have noticed, that I'm still here, warts and all, even if there is more than 100 lbs. less of me. I am still cranky, mean, and grumpy for no reason sometimes. I am occasionally tired just realizing that even though I've been at goal for almost a year, I will have to be vigilant the rest of my life or I will gain weight again. I set a new goal for myself each spring. This year, I had to really work at what that would be. I've decided I'm going to learn to play an instrument. Probably a keyboard or maybe a piano. For depression, what has helped me has been: exercise, taking a cognitive behavior class (I didn't realize how I talked to myself!), and antidepressant medication. Lynda

Hmh. I drink a lot more herbal tea now and in the winter I drink a lot of sugar free hot apple cider. Exercise is the same for me, but a lot easier without the extra 100+ pounds. I still don't like shopping. Still addicted to a nighttime snack before bed too. Lynda

I've lost 100%. End of this month, I will be one year at goal weight. I do have to watch what I eat now, but it is very manageable. Pre-op I had a raging hunger all day. Now as long as eat firm Protein at each meal I only really crave a snack at night. lynda

I'm almost two years out. I can eat small amounts of Pasta, but still can't eat much. I also have off days where some things I normally eat just dont sit well. Lynda

Drink tiny sips slowly. The first few days, I used a shot glass and a clock and worked on slowly sipping tiny sips to drink one ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. Lynda

hi oregon daisy, I overeat rarely now. Usually after I've had a few cocktails because I don't pay attention as well. I havent thrown up yet, but it is painful. I now have a two drink limit so that fixes that issue. Lynda

6 weeks for me too. And he told me to go easy on the abs for a while longer. Lynda

At 7 weeks out, my tummy was still PICKY, especially in the morning. My fav breakfast early out was greek yougurt made into a smoothie with a little Water, a splash of OJ, a couple of frozen strawberries, and Splenda to taste. I was closer to 9 months out before I could solid Protein before lunch. I was lactose intolerant. If you are not, cottage cheese is another high-protein easy-to-digest choice. If I was in a hurry or tummy was extra grumpy, I just had a Protein shake for breakfast. Lynda