dj112

1. I workout...start with smaller attainable goals.
I started out by walking for 30 minutes 4 days a week. Then started a workout program with my xbox kinect (EA Sports Active 2), still four days a week with some alternating walking. Once I was cleared for abdominal exercises I decided to do a one month program five days a week with the UFC Fitness Trainer game, (I lost 2.75 inches in my waist during that 30 days ) NOW I am addicted and workout 6-7 days. I do insanity 4 days and Couch 2 5K two of the other days and on Sundays I either rest or do something fun like Dance Central.
2. I count my calories with My Fitness Pal...goalseeker32 if you wanna add me
I didn't get a calorie goal from my dr or NUT so I go by what they tell me to eat to loose 2 lbs a week. Sometimes I am under that (especially now that I have gotten a fill) other days I eat all my exercise calories cause I'm hungry. I stick to the rules, Protein first, then veggies then carbs.
3. I only weigh once a week
I do not like the ups and downs that come with daily weigh ins. It discourages and frustrates me. I would rather see 2 lbs at the end of the week than .3 for 7 days.
4. I don't deprive myself of anything
I like homemade ranch dressing, and my Creamer in my coffee so I use it but I count it. I allow myself small tastes of sweets when they are around because this is a lifestyle change not a diet. The diet mentality got me to needing this surgery so I have to break that thinking.
5. I take measurements monthly so I can see more progress than just on the scale.
6. When I need smaller clothes, I find a good deal and buy them because it helps me to see my progress.

Please tell us what you did to lose 50lbs in such a short amount of time.

I think that's true you know - processed food is the real evil. If you eat a natural diet you wont be eating a very high carb one, and it wont include a lot of sugar.

I totally agree. I don't eat high sugar fruits like figs or medjool dates. I quit drinking diet soda over a year ago and got hooked on flavored selter. I miss my Canada Dry Mandarin Orange SELTZER! Now all I drink is Water and coffee. I just started drinking crystal light, I love their new flavor appletini. I'm five years sober and this is the closest I'm ever gonna get to an apple martini. My concentration and clarity improves when I'm sugar free.

Sugar is poison! I don't consume any sugar or flour because they trigger me to eat more and I can't stop. I have ZERO cravings. I eat 1 serving of fruit a day at Breakfast, a sugary Cereal is not the same as the sugar found in fruit. I feel in control when I'm avoiding these two substances. My concentration and clarity improve as result of avoiding sugar.

I agree that you should cut all refined sugar. I still had an occasional fruit, not I by dried fruit with no added sugar, because I just don't eat enough of it to cut ip the whole fruit! No white bread, Pasta, etc. It too me four months to even go to a multigrain bread. I just didn't want it to take up precious space in my stomach.
I also cut out soda and iced tea. You will notice after a couple months you won't even like the taste of soda once you don't drink it anymore. Now I drink hot Decaf tea (occasionally) or SF hot chocolate. That is really the only caffeine I get now days. Don't miss it at all.
Like the others said, once you detox from the sugars, your skins amazing and you do have more energy!

This is true. I've found that the band requires a lot of self discipline. I suppose I could overeat but I'm afraid to. Catastrophic consequences/complications prevent me from eating more than 1 cup of food at a time. I weigh and measure all my food. I can't eyeball because I will probably eat more than I should. I hope this fear stays with me for a long time.

This is true. I've found that the band requires a lot of self discipline. I suppose I could overeat but I'm afraid to. Catastrophic consequences/complications prevent me from eating more than 1 cup of food at a time. I weigh and measure all my food. I can't eyeball because I will probably eat more than I should. I hope this fear stays with me for a long time.

This is true. I've found that the band requires a lot of self discipline. I suppose I could overeat but I'm afraid to. Catastrophic consequences/complications prevent me from eating more than 1 cup of food at a time. I weigh and measure all my food. I can't eyeball because I will probably eat more than I should. I hope this fear stays with me for a long time.

carolinagirl - you are such an inspiration to me. Your posts are so informative and encouraging. You are amazing and I hope I get the chance to have the success that you have achieved.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, you'll notice as you get more fills and closer to the green zone you'll probably eat less than your cup of food per meal. Some of the weight is Water loss the rest is fat. I eat clean unprocessed foods too and I don't calorie count, I Portion Control ( and before anyone jumps up and down, I've been to my nutritionists seminars that teach about portion control and no need to count calories, thank goodness). Just be patient and the weight will start dropping, some weeks slower than other weeks but in the end it all adds up.
You may want to count calories just for a few weeks to be certain youre in the right calorie range.
drinks lots of water too.

I would strongly suggest meeting with a nutritionist. They can help you establish eating guidelines to fit your specific needs and lifestyle.
Best wishes.

Absolutely see a difference! You must FEEL lighter as well. I've lost 20 lbs and I don't really see a difference at all but I feel lighter and don't have this big stomach in the way anymore. Plus I have no more lower back pain when I walk!

It is very critical you follow the surgeon's instructions and not progress to foods before you were told to. It is for you to heal appropriately and ensure the band heals in the appropriate place as well.
What's done is done but you have to fight the urge to progress along too fast. If you cannot control those urges now, what happens when you are craving sweets, fatty foods, etc. By learning to control your craving now, it will help so you don't sabotage yourself later.
So for your future well-being and for your proper healing it is so crucial to follow the instructions. It is hard but we all got through it. When you have a craving try to distract yourself w/ going for a walk or an activity, etc.
Hang in there!

I really wouldn't worry about losing weight right now as you are in the healing stage. Most of the weight we lose on liquid diets is Water anyway and not fat. Try to get more Protein in so you feel satiated, I don't know that you will be satisfied from a Protein Shake. Find one that tastes delicious. I suggest chocolate Proto whey BNRG. It tastes like a milkshake!

I agree with what everyone said. Drink tons of Water, take a walk, do anything to get your mind off of food. Cravings pass and our thoughts are not commands. You can get through this, we all did! Good luck!

Your first 6 weeks post op is about healing, not losing. Put the scale away. You may not lose until you are at proper restriction, which could be 6 weeks, 2 months or 5 months away. Just concentrate on eating according to your surgeons plan, walking and taking care of yourself. The first 3 weeks you will most likely be eating way under your recommended calories, don't worry about it right now. And yes this will affect weight loss as you are probably starving yourself and your metabolism has stopped. You body is holding onto anything you give it. Your body will probably kick back in when you are eating more regularly and close to maintenance. My first 2 weeks post op I probably ate under 500 calories a day and did not lose. Once I started eating more normal foods things just fell back into place.
I think you can start c25k as long as you are feeling okay regardless of your weight, but not until you have been given the go ahead from your surgeon to start. Walking is okay, running is not. It will be about 6 weeks before you should do more than walking.
Slow down, let your body heal, get your head wrapped around your new life and enjoy.

id say it depends on the persons (size/height etc)
some larger people may lose more then some who arent as large
(keep in mind this is just Water weight we are losing) but it still counts
so just do your best as it does get easier. also, stay off the scale for the first month as your body is recovering and the scale will show different numbers and you dont need to get bummed over that.
i was 2 weeks pre and 2 weeks post op all liquids so i understand what you are going through..

This thinking is a serious challenge to your eventual success with weight loss and an uncomplicated weight loss journey with your band. Your surgeon is not trying to torture you at this stage, and there are valid medical reasons for following the instructions you were given by your surgeon.
We can get into serious trouble with the band if we choose to ignore the instructions the surgeon gives; you may stretch your pouch, harm the placement of your band, or not loose weight.
You have paid good money to have the expertise of your surgeon...it will help you immensely to follow the rules and not make up your own along the way.
The pre op and post op diets were by for the most difficult stages for me to date...but you do get through if you decide that you want to. If you want to move to the next stage early, don't do it unless your surgeon gives their approval.
Good luck...

Are you exercising? Activity is every bit as important to this journey as the food you put into your body. If you are, that's great! You will probably need to add 5 or 10 minutes to your work out, switch up the order of your routine, or increase intensity. I hit a plateau a few weeks ago and my doctor suggested adding variety to my diet and exercise. That worked for me.
There is nothing wrong with occasional chocolate. However if your craving for it is increasing, you just may not be able to eat it for the time being. There are certain foods I know could trigger me, so I try to avoid them or only eat them when I am out (like a restaurant or friend's house) so I am not tempted to binge privately. If it is the sweetness you are craving, how about vanilla yogurt with some fresh fruit sliced into it? Or just a glass of skim milk for a snack?
Stay strong.

I was on Clear Liquids 24 hours after surgery and then 10 days on thin liquids and then 10 days on full liquids. I stuck to Protein Shakes and Soups on my liquid diets.

Sugar is a drug for me. If I have a little one day, I want it the next day and the next day. I'm 4 weeks off sugar now and I find I have no cravings for it because its not in my body. chocolate is empty calories and is preventing you from losing weight.

I know this isn't the response you wanted, but this is exactly why having good support and follow up after surgery is so important. Unless there is a nutritionist on this board who's willing to talk with you extensively to help you establish eating guidelines specifically for you, we can't tell you how many calories or carbs to eat. For one thing we're all on different programs. Some of us do very low carb and others don't restrict carbs at all. Our calorie ranges go from anywhere from 800-1600 calories a day. There is no right or wrong way to eat, it's all dependent on your own individual situation and needs.
Nutritionists aren't expensive and they're everywhere. Just find one near you and set up an appointment.