dreamers

I've been juicing a month now, and it kick started me out of a stall! (Of course I work out more, eat well and track too) I think it's partly cos u feel like being healthier and actually less hungry when ur body is nourished with Vitamins and minerals. That's why 30 mins after a McDonalds meal people get hungry again, cos there is nothing to really nourish your body. My skin + energy levels have improved greatly. The trick for WLS people is keep the fruit out of the juicer. Greens greens greens! It's not tasty to drink with all that kale, celery and spinach in the juicer but taste isn't the point. I have a green juice first thing before my Breakfast (usually an egg or egg on toast). If u don't use fruits, the calories and sugar are very low. Some days when I'm not in the mood for the bitter green taste, I add a small green apple or some carrots. I recommend trying it!

I'm still a newbie also (3 months) but I noticed I was able to eat bigger portions even though I was still getting fills and can feel the food going down. I also noticed people talking about the 5 day pouch test or versions of that which is basically the same as shrinking your stomach to its natural size. You know how pre-band when we started a new diet and exercised portion control, the first few days were the hardest cos your stomach is used to more food? But then as u went along u got used to it and your stomach got smaller? That's how doing the pouch test felt for me. I followed it closely and now my stomach feels smaller and I don't need anymore fills for a while. That is if I now work harder to stop when 'satiated'. I still struggle with it often but now if I can see my portions getting bigger but I still feel my band is tight enough, I know I can go on liquids a few days and get that full feeling back. It also kick starts weight loss when facing plateaus. I highly recommend it. I know some veterans on here do that too and it works for them. Good luck

Did u feel a renewed sense of restriction? I am relatively new (almost 3 months PO) but recently i had a few bad days where i overate and i want to make sure i don't do any damage so early on in my journey so i just started 5DPT today. Here goes....

Time and time again I have read people say 4 hours or more. Any less and we should be getting fills. (Granted we are making sure to drink enough fluid to help keep us full too) I'm definitely not there yet. I get hungry after 2.5 hours and if I don't have a snack I can't stand it!

This is interesting, cos I have been thinking lately... I have had 3 fills and can feel myself close to what I think is green zone. I chew my food VERY well. Until it is liquified in my mouth before swallowing. Does that mean it will slide through like a slider food? And don't people say u can eat unlimited (almost) slider foods and to stay away from them cos they pass through quick? I typically eat things like chili, chicken salad, omelets, wheat pasta, roast chicken and veggies, .... Lots of different things. Same result of being hungry couple hours after. I feel some resistance as it goes down so don't think I'm super loose. Not sure if I need another fill or if I'm chewing too much. Little help?

I had 1 Cosmo last night and was hammered. I had 3 sips of my 2nd one and had trouble walking so I put it down. Be VERY careful, alcohol is very different on the band. Much stronger. And yes count those calories! On the plus side, with alcohol being so high cal and not nutritional, at least we don't need much at all to get a buzz. P.s I waited a month before my first drink and only drink for really special occasions cos getting drunk makes me wanna eat!!

Sometimes people don't say anything cos they feel it may be inappropriate. Pre lapband I had dieted and lost 50+ lbs and one of the girls I shared a work space with who I grew close with never said "congrats" or "you look great" and it bothered me cos so many other people had. Eventually I asked her about it and she said she didn't want me to think there was anything wrong with me before I had lost weight so she didn't wanna say I looked great for losing a lot of weight. That always reminds to remember sometimes people don't know what to say or don't think they should say anything.

Do you have trouble with any foods? I am hesitant to get a fill. Been fighting the hunger successfully but it is hard! I just would like to keep my food choices broad and not get stuck

Sounds like a great idea! It's good to see you fighting back against a plateau with good old fashioned elbow grease and a good attitude! Hope you do well. You have inspired me to do something similar so thank u so much!

*SLAP* lol I had a terrible time with chocolate over the holidays. It was amazing how many bars i consumed. I was like a bottomless pit! I also was on that time of the month so I feel your pain. My only advice is keep it out of site as much as possible! Out of sight out of mind I eventually got so bloated and felt so yuk I started back on the healthy road with a vengeance. I find a day of lots of Water and a work out helps get things on track

But I remember u saying u didn't work out while u lost either? The days I don't work out I stick to 1000 (thanks to your advice) but I sometimes walk 90 mins a day 4 times a week!

I carry my weight on my bottom half and have little belly fat so I could see my port right away like half an egg sticking out. I don't like it. It doesn't cause me anxiety, but once I get to my goal weight my doctor said he would put in a flat one. It's good though cos its become a goal for me and it motivates me to stay on track and get thin! I don't much feel like wearing tight tops just yet with my fat arms and muffin top/ back fat hehe When I do it's good to know there will be options.

To get extra calories when you really can't eat, try blending your own Protein shakes with Protein powder of choice (vanilla is a good neutral) and use full cream milk and a tablespoon of Peanut Butter. That has loads of protein, adds calories and is yummy. It helped me go from 400 calories to 900 in my first weeks. Sometimes i would add 1/2 a banana too. My body never went into starvation and I lost 10 lbs in the first 11 days after surgery. Of course once your appetite returns, switch to non fat milk and limit things like peanut butter. Good luck!

I am using My fitness Pal to track my calories. I also enter my exercise... i burn between 200-400 calories a few days a week, and when i enter my exercise for the day, it minuses those calories burnt from what i have eaten. I have it set at 1000 calories a day, but i end up consuming more than that cos of the calories burnt! Something like 1200 to 1400 a day depending on how much i work out.... But my net calories is always in the green so less than 1000... anyone else entering their exercise? The days i don't work out, it's not a problem, i just have to eat less. I am in bandster hell at the moment so basically on a normal diet. I am losing weight and can definitely feel it, but i do get confused everyday as to what i should be doing.

Thanks for your replies So the consensus seems to be you guys either don't enter the calories burned or ignore the "net" figure and go off the calories consumed. Damn haha I spend 45 mins on a bike or lots of walking to burn those calories... Don't you guys get really hungry working out and eating so little? Or is it just my bandster hell hungry stage.. I'm really good with Protein and Water intake, but still, if I work out I'm sooo hungry and find it impossible to concentrate on anything. And I'm a busy gal! 😄