delta_girl

I quit coffee after surgery and didn't have any for a few weeks. Then I drank decaf for about a week, then half caf for about two weeks. After that I allowed myself one cup each morning. Now I have 1-2 cups each morning. On Saturday and Sunday mornings I probably drink 4-5 cups. It does not stimulate my hunger. In fact, quite the opposite. Coffee is acidic, so it may "feel" like hunger. Taking a PPI moderates this for me. I have found that there are some coffee blends that are extremely acidic and I try to avoid those. I have a Keurig at home and a small one at work.

I just walked through my den and caught my reflection in the mirror. My jawline is there, my cheeks have hollows, my shoulders are squared, ....but I have been 145-148 pretty much for a month and a half now. I still have 20-30 more lbs to lose and it isn't happening right now. Yes, I have slacked and am not as compliant as before. I don't exercise and I feel some shame. Sometimes I am down and feel like a total failure, even though I've lost about 75 lbs. And it is OK to have those feelings! Feelings are good! So is a long-term commitment. Don't beat yourself up because of what you haven't done. Rejoice and Celebrate what you HAVE accomplished. It is good. Some people like to call this a journey. That's fine. It's theirs to call whatever they want. I call it engagement in a process. It is ongoing and necessitates some introspection and reflection. There are a lot of things that need to be addressed. Internal dialogue is one of them, especially if it is mostly negative. Eating emotions is another. Good choices, too. But also how you handle rough spots and personal dissapointments. You are in good company here. From the outside looking towards others, it may appear that some are hugely successful and a few even seem almost perfect. That really isn't the case. Most all of us have struggles specific to our own process. Be gentle with yourself. Love yourself. Allow yourself to be imperfect. Don't measure yourself by others. Measure yourself by where you've been and where you are now, as well as by small goals that you establish for yourself that work well for you.

Iron? Be sure to get that, too. You need iron supplements. Without them you are going to be zoinked.

It isn't a race so there is no specific time frame and no huge finish line. It is about health and looking/feeling better. If you are down 25lbs, then I am going to just guess that you probably look and feel better? What is your hurry? There really isn't one. It is something made up in your head. Where will you be in 12 months? 18 months? 2 years? You don't need to give up because there has been no failure.

I'm going into 7 months with 75 ish lbs lost and about 20 -25 to go. I have fallen off track, too and have hit a set point around 145-148 lbs. I've been wondering when I will get my head in gear and get motivated to kick my own butt. I guess the semester winding down with grad classes and big changes at work are presenting challenges that have seriously derailed my focus. Congratulations to you for taking back your control!

Just kidding. No kink. So I had noticed that my posture is hunched over. I don't know if it has always been like that or it is new. Have I tried to "hide" the fat by hunching over? My shoulders are not held back, they are forward and slightly inward as if to protect myself. My spine is not straight, it is curved over. This isn't a medical issue, it is a psychological one that I had never noticed until I recently saw some candid photos someone else had taken of me. Maybe it was not as noticeable when I was big. I need to work on my posture. I also lost my waist somewhere around 170 lbs many years ago. Instead of it being smaller than my chest and rear, my middle was larger. My hips are slightly smaller in proportion to my chest and my waist is not very defined. Well...about two months ago I got a corset type of foundation/support/under garment. It has hooks and eyes and goes from right under the band of my bra almost to my hipbones. It was WAY too tight when I got it and it was a large! I've seen photos of women who have corset "trained" their waists to be smaller. I'm not trying to be a nut case or kinky, I'm looking for some extra definition in that area. Yes, yes, yes ...weights and cardio, naturally ...but I'm trying this as well. I can't wear it for long periods of time yet, so I just have it on an hour or so a few times a week. I've also read that corsets and similar garments can help out with posture. The study has commenced.

Mine was one hour. I had vsg + hiatal hernia repair.

I did it myself dozens of times. Over and over. Just to regain plus some. If only it were that simple to do it and be done, then we would all not be here.

Sometimes you just have to do the thing you don't want to do.

1,200 calories a day for maintenance is not idea for everyone. Very thin people eat more than that. If you wanted to maintain at a low weight on your BMI range, then 1,200 would make sense, but otherwise, no way. That may be your surgeon or NUT's plan for you, but the recommendations from our medical services are all over the place.

Me neither. It is frustrating. My thin friends eat and drink a lot more than I do. I mean a lot.

I'm into my 7th month and pretty much in the same boat. I lost 65 lbs, stalled for a month, dropped 7 more lbs and have stalled for about 6 weeks. I'm not really dieting very strictly anymore, just making better choices and trying to be somewhat normal. I still have 20-30 lbs to go.

Should You Eat High-Protein Products? Feb 5, 2013 | 10:18 AM ET | Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer In 2012, 19 percent of new food and beverage products launched in the United States were labeled as being "high-protein," according to Mintel, a market research company. That's higher than anywhere else in the world, including India (9 percent), and the United Kingdom (7 percent), Mintel said.Although popular, high-Protein Bars, shakes and other products aren't the best way to get your protein, experts say. Proteins are essential nutrients, found inside every cell in the body. They are used for growth and maintenance, including tissue and muscle repair (muscle-building), and play a smaller role as an energy source. In general, about 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories should come from protein, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Adult women shouldeat about 46 grams of protein a day, and adult men should eat about 56 grams a day. Most people in the United States actually get more than enough protein. A 2009 to 2010 U.S. food survey found that, on average, women eat about 70 grams of protein per day, and men eat about 100 grams.A bar or shake might seem like an easy way to get the recommended amount of protein, but you're better off getting the nutrient from real food, some experts say, "I never recommend protein supplements," said Katherine Tallmadge, the author of "Diet Simple" (LifeLine Press, 2011). "People need to be eating real food." High-protein bars and shakes are often high in calories (and sugar), too, and don't leave people feeling full in the same way that a well-rounded meal, with a variety of flavors and nutrients, does, Tallmadge said. "You can feel full or more satisfied with fewer calories" when you eat real food, she added. Good sources of protein include meat, poultry, fish, legumes (such as dry Beans and peas), eggs, milk and tofu, according to the CDC. To fuel exercise and build muscle, Tallmadge recommendsyogurt, which she herself eatsbefore and after a workout. "Yogurt is a major protein source," Tallmadge said. For people who want a nonperishable food to take on hikes or outings, Tallmadge recommends nuts and dried fruit. Heather Mangieri, a nutrition consultant and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, agreed that, ideally, people should get protein from food. But some people who have high caloric needs, such as athletes, may find it more convenient to get their protein, along with necessary extra calories, from a high-protein product, Mangieri said. Mangieri notes that our bodies typically use a maximum of 20 to 30 grams of protein from a single meal. Beyond that, any additional protein in a meal or bar won't confer an extra tissue-repair or muscle-building benefit, Mangieri said. So it is important to space out protein consumption throughout the day, consuming about equal portions at each meal. (For instance, if you eat three meals a day, you could consume about a third of your protein at Breakfast, a third at lunch and a third at dinner.) Pass it on:It's best to get protein from real food, rather than from bars, shakes or other supplements. http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/3503-high-protein-products-best-sources.html

Brooks. Nothing else comes close.

Seriously? I was a fat girl 6 months ago with 5 college degrees and working on a doctorate with a very well paying job and no bills. I have a killer resume. Being fat has NOTHING to do with intelligence or productivity. But also..I don't know that you can really ever get yourself totally "ready." I was waking up from anesthesia after surgery still trying to decide if I thought I should do it or not because when it comes to food I knew I had been a lifetime failure. But it worked out OK so far. Just take the leap of faith with good intentions and do your best. That is all any of us can do.

Down 75 lbs and I still feel that way.

It is all, totally, completely up to you.

If it isn't working, then you aren't even trying.

You must also realize that ghrelin is a hormone that is critical to thinking and learning. You don't want it to go away completely.

I'm 6 months out and do feel hunger, but nothing on the scale as before. Removal of your stomach is only about 70% reduction in ghrelin, not total. Some days I am much hungrier than others. That is why protein is critical. It is also important to supplement with foods that are healthy as your second choice after protein such as fresh vegetables. That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy pasta, rice, bread, crackers, potatoes ...etc if you can tolerate them. Or an occasional treat of something sweet or savory. You will be amazed and delighted with a new balance between your cravings and tastes and foods that are actually very healthy with appropriate portions.

I've done quite a bit of personal research on the topic. That doesn't make me a Puritan. That makes me informed. But you are correct in that you do not have to be in ketosis to lose weight. However, regular consumption of alcohol will have an impact.

Drink up. You will go out of ketosis and profoundly impact your weight loss. Do it on a regular basis and you will have lots and lots of very long stalls. Or even better, gain a new addiction.

friend. And a great go-to when eating out at asian restaurants. Much better option than the chips and dip or bread typically served at most restaurants. I like to order edamame and miso for my meal

I'm only 6 months out and my losing has ground to a halt, with the exception of a very few lbs a month at this point. I was excercising a lot in the beginning but quit when it was cold and dark outside by the time I got off of work. I'm hoping that the spring weather will provide some incentive. I posted a similar thread last week about my fears regarding the end of weight loss and later regain

I'm a big fan of alternative salads. Mix various combinations with either olive oil and apple cider vinegar or fat free raspberry vinagrette with: Veggies: avocados, cherry tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, squash, parsley, mint, fresh basil, red onions, sweet peppers, celery root, carrots, parsnips, leeks, spinach, arugula, beets, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, endive, sweet peas, Cheese: low fat and/or fresh mozarella, goat cheese, Nuts: almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, pistachios Fruit: strawberries, raspberries, apples, citrus fruit, grapes, blueberries, dried cranberries, jicima (is that a fruit?), honey dew melon Meat: chicken, lean pork, fresh tuna or salmon, shrimp, turkey Other: edamame, quinoa, chia seeds, toasted sesame seeds, barley