FishingNurse

The intermittent fasting seems to be the ticket for vets in a rut like myself. I gained 7-8 pounds back from my all time low over the last year. (I am 2.5 years out)
Unfortunately I am not able to only consume 500 calories or less per day. I wish I had the will power to do it!!!!
BUT I started a similar idea at the first of the year and I am down 3.5lbs!!!
It’s called the 8 hour diet. It’s simple. You eat 8 hours of the day only, the other 16 you fast. (you drink Water or other beverages with no calories.) Basically you can eat whatever in the 8 hours with in moderation, but no need to restrict calories significantly.
So far so good!!! It is surprisingly easy for me to follow. I have also been shooting for high Protein, lowerish carb, (but I am reasonable, I have still been getting my white chocolate iced espresso daily from Caribou coffee!!) and I have been at the gym which also helps.
I haven’t seen the scale move DOWN in more than a year I’d say!
I work 2nd shift as a nurse, so I have slightly different hours to eat then some of you might… but this is what I do:
I eat Breakfast at about 11:30am, and then I can eat a snack around 2 or 3 and have dinner at 7-7:30 then I don’t eat again until 11:30am the next day. I thought it would be hard but it’s not! Also the book I read regarding the plan does say even if you follow this 4-5 days a week you will still see results. (google 8 hour diet for more info)
This plan seems to give your body a chance to use stored fat for energy. I feel great! Also the plan recommends a brief 8 min “workout” just before you break the fast in the morning. (I will lift my 5 pound dumb bells and push-ups and go up and down the stairs a few times.
I am very optimistic, I know I have only been following the plan for 10 days but I am excited to be on the loser’s bench again. I will keep everyone posted, I can’t wait to weigh myself tomorrow!!

I just changed my goal weight to 155, a number I saw last on the scale in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Feeling attainable. Thanks everyone for kind words of wisdom.

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

That is basically what I did to lose my regain. I did do 5:2 and the 500 calories for awhile but I lost my 15 lbs fairly quickly when I couldn't do it in a year that I had tried. The no snacking at night was the key I am sure. That was the bad habit I had trouble breaking.
Now I have my 100 calorie pack of cocoa dusted almonds or a sf fudge bar at 9 or 10 and fast until around 11 am when I head to the gym. I still try to do lower calories on mon and thurs. . It's good, cause I might have a slight gain from the weekend.

How do I follow you I am 1 week out and was feeling like I made the biggest mistake of my life I read your post and now have an entire new outlook I can do this you provided proof I can eat portions of my favorites! Thanks thanks thanks please keep posting your so encouraging! Question, have you eaten Pasta?

2.5 year pic update!

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

All my inspirations in one thread!!!!! I love to see everyone. I seriously read what Coops, CLK, Diva, feedyoureye, PDXman and several others read for hours a day while prepping for surgery. I am so glad everyone is checking in.
Diva, so sorry to hear about your struggles, thanks for coming back to inspire us again.
I am getting back on track too, working out with personal trainers, and plan to get to my NEW GOAL of 155lbs. I had put on 8lbs, down 4.5 now and plan to lose the rest by mid summer.

I am more about counting Protein.... but I track on myfitnesspal and I have been anywhere between 1100-2200 calories and eveywhere in between.

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

All my inspirations in one thread!!!!! I love to see everyone. I seriously read what Coops, CLK, Diva, feedyoureye, PDXman and several others read for hours a day while prepping for surgery. I am so glad everyone is checking in.
Diva, so sorry to hear about your struggles, thanks for coming back to inspire us again.
I am getting back on track too, working out with personal trainers, and plan to get to my NEW GOAL of 155lbs. I had put on 8lbs, down 4.5 now and plan to lose the rest by mid summer.

Welcome jen!!!!! In my opinion, (I am 2.5 years out) and was heavy my whole life...... the sleeve is the best thing that ever happened to me. Could I have lost more weight? yes. The sleeve seems to work varrying degrees for people. Some people lose all their excess weight, some 30lbs. It depends on what you put in, and what you want. Post-op life is so much better (weight gain is not like before when dieting) but there is a risk of going back. I see the scale go up a few pounds then I blow an imaginary horn in my head. I can eat entire small box of cheezits in a few hours. I also can only eat 3 oz of steak and a few bites of veggies. It all depends of choices. What I am getting at is the sleeve is amazing but it is not guarantee to be thin for the rest of your life... (although I wish it was)

I just changed my goal weight to 155, a number I saw last on the scale in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Feeling attainable. Thanks everyone for kind words of wisdom.

Welcome back diva!!!! Keep us posted.





I am loving this plan.... down 5.6 pounds in 15 days. Any one else having any luck ??



I am really working on getting the Protein in as well, (100 grams per day) and when I have carbs I eat them with Protein, my trainer at Lifetime recommends this.



I am also working out 4-5 days a week with weights. about 40-50 mins a day.

5:2 uses the same concept but you are reducing input also. In effect, you ARE fasting 16 hours a day. On 5:2, most recommend the same but reduce your calories to 25% of normal TDEE. We use 500 or 550 thereabouts.
It's what you make up your mind to do. I'm so glad to hear you are losing again. If it is working then it's YOUR plan. You are basically watching carbs too so following the 8 hour rule along with it allows your body time to work.

I have read about the 8 hour diet and think it is very valid and have thought about giving it a try myself. The biggest difference is you do it everyday instead of twice a week, but the restriction in calories is not there. 5:2=500 calories in a 8 hour window with 16 hours of fasting twice a week. The 8-hour diet is eating all your calories within an 8 hour period everyday, having a 16 hour fast every day, without restriction calories. The only problem I could forsee is someone making it a free for all in those 8 hours, which would defeat the purpose. Just like going crazy on your "feast" days on the 5:2 would defeat the purpose. There is no calories "restrictions" in those 8 hours but common sense and healthy choices is still important. Sleeve of Steel, keep us posted, I would love to keep hearing on how your doing on this. I think I might be able to stick to this type of plan better as well.

The intermittent fasting seems to be the ticket for vets in a rut like myself. I gained 7-8 pounds back from my all time low over the last year. (I am 2.5 years out)
Unfortunately I am not able to only consume 500 calories or less per day. I wish I had the will power to do it!!!!
BUT I started a similar idea at the first of the year and I am down 3.5lbs!!!
It’s called the 8 hour diet. It’s simple. You eat 8 hours of the day only, the other 16 you fast. (you drink Water or other beverages with no calories.) Basically you can eat whatever in the 8 hours with in moderation, but no need to restrict calories significantly.
So far so good!!! It is surprisingly easy for me to follow. I have also been shooting for high Protein, lowerish carb, (but I am reasonable, I have still been getting my white chocolate iced espresso daily from Caribou coffee!!) and I have been at the gym which also helps.
I haven’t seen the scale move DOWN in more than a year I’d say!
I work 2nd shift as a nurse, so I have slightly different hours to eat then some of you might… but this is what I do:
I eat Breakfast at about 11:30am, and then I can eat a snack around 2 or 3 and have dinner at 7-7:30 then I don’t eat again until 11:30am the next day. I thought it would be hard but it’s not! Also the book I read regarding the plan does say even if you follow this 4-5 days a week you will still see results. (google 8 hour diet for more info)
This plan seems to give your body a chance to use stored fat for energy. I feel great! Also the plan recommends a brief 8 min “workout” just before you break the fast in the morning. (I will lift my 5 pound dumb bells and push-ups and go up and down the stairs a few times.
I am very optimistic, I know I have only been following the plan for 10 days but I am excited to be on the loser’s bench again. I will keep everyone posted, I can’t wait to weigh myself tomorrow!!

I just changed my goal weight to 155, a number I saw last on the scale in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Feeling attainable. Thanks everyone for kind words of wisdom.

I forgot Swizzly and M2G :-)

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

this all will pass. just wait until you are 2.5 years out like me and you forget 98% of the time you were sleeved.
Actually... I noticed I felt significantly better about 3 weeks out, then at 3 months. Its a new normal. Everyday seems to get better. At 1 year i felt 100% normal, except I ate 1/3 as much as before. :-) It's all worth it in the long run, your new life has just begun!!

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

Wow, time flies! I am 2 years post op... My story: I started in the 260's..... made my very modest weight loss goal (170lbs) in 9 months and have been maintaining fairly easily since, (a few ups and downs!) At one point I was up 7-8 pounds but I am currently holding within 2 pounds of my low weight. I was eating sliders for sure, I caught myself and got back on track with normal eating. I still have hunger, I only lost it for about 4 months. I still have fair restriction, but sliders are almost as easy to eat as before. I eat anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain. I don't eat low carb, but I try to fuel my body healthily. Don't get me wrong, I still eat cheezits and cookie dough for dinner sometimes! I drink 2-3 beers per week, and drink sparkling Water everyday, no troubles with carbonation. I bike or slowly jog/ walk a few days a week. Nothing crazy. I have a fairly active job as a RN. I have ZERO loose skin BUT I am 170 pounds, so if i wanted to see 130 pounds I might run into that problem. I wear as size 12 and mediums and some larges. (pre-op I was 2x and 24 easy) I would like to maintain my weight for another year then try to lose 10 more pounds. I am super happy, best decision I have ever made to get the sleeve. I am 30 years old and weigh less today then I did when I was 12 years old!
I am very grateful for this website, I have been on nearly everyday for the past 2 1/2 years, and I will keep coming back to help keep me in track!

Welcome jen!!!!! In my opinion, (I am 2.5 years out) and was heavy my whole life...... the sleeve is the best thing that ever happened to me. Could I have lost more weight? yes. The sleeve seems to work varrying degrees for people. Some people lose all their excess weight, some 30lbs. It depends on what you put in, and what you want. Post-op life is so much better (weight gain is not like before when dieting) but there is a risk of going back. I see the scale go up a few pounds then I blow an imaginary horn in my head. I can eat entire small box of cheezits in a few hours. I also can only eat 3 oz of steak and a few bites of veggies. It all depends of choices. What I am getting at is the sleeve is amazing but it is not guarantee to be thin for the rest of your life... (although I wish it was)

All my inspirations in one thread!!!!! I love to see everyone. I seriously read what Coops, CLK, Diva, feedyoureye, PDXman and several others read for hours a day while prepping for surgery. I am so glad everyone is checking in.
Diva, so sorry to hear about your struggles, thanks for coming back to inspire us again.
I am getting back on track too, working out with personal trainers, and plan to get to my NEW GOAL of 155lbs. I had put on 8lbs, down 4.5 now and plan to lose the rest by mid summer.