kelliv

I can cross my legs!!! Still a thrill every time as I couldn't do it for last 15 years. Great list Lissa and ditto to all of it. You are an inspiration.

For those of you in Brisbane I just went to a great cafe recommended by my dietician. It is called Primal Pantry and it's in Tenneriffe. 100% Paleo & gluten free. I had what was called cauliflower fried rice but it had shaved cauliflower instead of rice and was delicious. I also tried a little bit of an Asian salad with fish cakes mixed through. Definitely recommend it. Their menu also looks really interesting.

Welcome and chemists are the best places.

Day 1 of my first 500 calorie 'fast' day. So far I have had: Breakfast 1 whole egg with 1 egg white 1/2 cup tomato lunch Small tin tuna 2 tablespoons avocado 1/4 cup each cucumber & lettuce Snack 1 punnet strawberries Only 160 calories left so dinner will be 1 1/2 cups vege & a piece of fruit afterwards. Not enough calories left for Protein. This is quite tough and I am thinking about food more than usual. Thank goodness this is only 2 days per week, but I feel it will do the trick for me, so am confident. Is anyone else doing this program through their dietician?

Hi Misty, yes I noticed the thread about 5:2 last night and read all 23 pages! Seems to be having success for most people but definitely for veterans or those needing help to lose the last few kilos like myself. I will stick to 500 x 2 days and 800 calories x 5 days and feel confident it will help kick start things again. I may also use this as a tool when in maintenance if necessary.

Had an interesting visit with dietician today. 11 months out I have stalled for the past month. For the newbies, I started at 107kg and got sleeve on 14 August last year. I am now 77kg and only 8kg from my goal weight. Di Barr at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane is my dietician. She suggested I need to shake things up with my diet and has recommended that on 2 consecutive days each week I only consume 500 calories per day, then 800 on other days. On the 2 days I can eat non starchy veges, fruit, protein, dairy (low fat milk & plain low fat yoghurt only), nuts, olives, avocado & olive oil. I am going to start tomorrow. She also reiterated drinking a min. 1.5lt water per day and to aim for 30-45 minutes of cardio exercise at least 5 days per week and to not worry too much about using weights for the moment as the cardio getting my heart rate up with interval training is better for fat burning. I will let you know how I go over the next month.

Optifast may not taste great, but it is the one all of the docs and dieticians recommend for pre surgery as it's the most balanced nutritionally. Good luck, it will get easier.

Drinking really cold and blending with ice or berries or a shot of espresso coffee makes them more palatable. Hope this helps.

Hi Sarah, Welcome back and thanks for the update. 20kgs s still a good loss, but are you seeing a dietician as doing a food diary and having someone analyse what you are eating will make all the difference? Mine suggests 800 calories per day, with 3 small meals and one snack either in the afternoon or evening, 60 grams of Protein per day spread over each meal including Breakfast. Minimal, Pasta, rice and potato, especially at dinner. Lots of Water, minimum of 1.5lt per day which I struggle to get in. Keep us posted on your progress.

Misty, have a great trip to India. I know it's work, but will still be fascinating and good luck with the eating side of things during your travels. Cheers Kelli

Try and keep the Water up and this will take the edge off the hunger. Usually hunger reduces by the second week.