courtoomp

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

I don't know about you, but food has long been a best friend to me. When my "real" friends weren't available or when I just didn't want to bother them with why I was depressed/sad/lonely/stressed yet again...I could turn to food. Always there to support me, numb me out to all feelings, and help temporarily turn off those damn self-critical voices polluting my brain.
I knew I had a lot of food head issues going into this surgery. Accordingly, I have been seeing a therapist for eight weeks, twice a week. I am now moving to once a week. I started at my therapist's office thinking we would work on behavioral changes...you know, distraction and healthy habits to avoid bingeing. What I've found is that we've barely talked about food at all. Instead, we speak about WHY I turn to food...you know, core issues and all. For me, it's about loneliness and self-criticism. I am, as most of us are, my own worst critic, and I exert so much energy trying to control how others perceive me that I'm left exhausted at the end of my day...and food is there to nurture me in a way I haven't been nurturing myself (and in a way I haven't let others nurture me either).
Enough of my psychobabble. I really wanted to start this thread to offer a safe place to discuss the emotional toll food has taken on us. And a place to discuss how our disordered eating is really a parallell too, and extension of, or disordered thinking/feeling. And further, to offer each other support as we grieve the loss of our good friend, food.
I grieved super hard core last Wednesday at my therapy appointment. I was a hot freaking mess, and my therapist was the one who pointed out it sounds like I'm grieving. And she was right! I was so upset because I was feeling isolated from my friends and family AND didn't have my comforting binge foods to soothe me either. So I had to soothe myself (read a book, took a hot shower, wrote down my feelings). How do you get through hard spots without food to lean on?
Wishing you all a nurturing day and hope to hear how you have dealt with the loss of your old best friend.
Courtney

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

The environment you're in is really important, too.
Are the people you're living with willing to support you by not bringing that kind of food into the house? You deserve support through this. Nobody needs this process made MORE difficult.
And as a side note: try not to think of this as dieting. This is the rest of your life. We can't do this for a while, get to the weight we want, then eat anything we want because we're thin. That whole idea is completely false. Thin, healthy people, at least all of the ones I know go to the gym, eat right and really make disciplined choices 95% of the time. Maybe some people won the metabolism lottery, but where's the victory in getting your health handed to you?
I'd rather earn mine through blood, sweat and tears (and trust me so far there have been a lot of tears).
This is hard. Now go get it girl!

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

I'm sorry you're struggling. I am not as far out as you, but I think I can still speak on this. It sounds like you never (or insufficiently) dealt with the emotional aspect of your weight. I think many of us enter into this surgery with a fantasy of looking great and believe that will translate into feeling great/stable physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately this philosophy doesn't work (and explains how I failed so many weight loss efforts in the past!). As much work as we put into improving our bodies, I think we have to put just as much or more work into our heads.
I would recommend two things. 1) start with the basics. Visiting your nutritionist is good, but it sounds like you already know what's wrong (unhealthy habits)--back to basics of Protein and veggies and water/fluids. I think of this as our foundation. Track everything honestly and bring that in to the nutritionist.
2. I really think you could benefit from talking to someone about how you have slipped. Were you immersed back in your pre-WLS lifestyle? Going out to dinner a lot with friends? Has your stress level increased? Relationship or financial or family problems?
Try to really look at why you're turning to food. Maybe you're one of those rare sleevers who truly just had bad habits with no emotional explanation for those habits...but I have yet to really meet someone who doesn't use food to handle a deeper issue. Maybe it's just me, but I know I didn't get here overeating at parties or having just a couple extra bites of food. I got here because I used food to cope, to fill a void within myself, to numb out the good and bad...i could go on.
I didn't mean to preach. It's brave of you to share bc it's hard to admit when we are f***ing up! You are going through something I know i fear...slipping into bad habits. I hope you can settle back into focusing on why you did this to begin with and dealing with the head issues.
Courtney

You taking any pepto bismal or anything?
Light or clay colored stools can also be from a bile duct obstruction (gall stones..do you have your gallbladder?) The abdominal pain accompanying this stool color change concerns me. Is the pain constant or come and go? Is it sharp? Worse with meals...if so what kind of meals? Radiate or move anywhere like to your back or shoulder?
You need to go to the doctor and they can do some scans to visualize your stomach an gallbladder to see if there is an obstruction.

I hadn't heard of these before today! I'll have to try them out!
I also just read (since this got me interested lol) that there are a few more brands of Water enhancers sweetened with stevia. I don't really know that it's better for you, there seem to be some differing opinions on that, but since I can't go completely without, I'll give it a shot. I like that its natural and plant based as opposed to chemical.
So, there's Crystal Light Pure. Only a few flavors and in pre-measured packets. (I use a big reusable water bottle, so I prefer the convenience of liquid enhancers).
There's also TRUE in flavors like lemon, orange and strawberry. Also just a few flavors and pre-measured packets. But really well reviewed!
Last, I saw an article talking about how Walmart is starting to make their Great Value Water Enhancers with stevia as well. So far there's only a few flavors and all in packets, but they are working on getting some additional flavors changed over and some liquid ones to the market soon!
Hoping I can wean myself off and drink straight water, but I'm sensitive to it now, just with a lap band! I can't imagine that'll get better after I'm sleeved. :-/

I have fat fingers. I will *add to the post if I think of anything else concrete*
Amendment 1---lose weight in fingers? :-)

I went to the nutritionist today. Like so many here i have considered myself a slow loser...well relative to all the super speedy ones!...and I have been down for not seeing results as quickly as I wanted.
Well, the nut told me to increase my food. She said at this stage I am healed and should be focusing on eating normally. Wow what a concept! Not 100grams of Protein and 25 carbs?? Nope. She told me to up my cals to 800 and if I don't lose in 2 weeks then up it to 1000. I was shocked! She also said to get 80ish or more carbs a day from fruits and veg and whole grains. I have never been more thrilled at the idea of a quinua salad and some apple!
Anyway I shared this to confirm that eating real food may make the journey a bit slower but all the tastier and hopefully lasting.
Courtney

I went to the nutritionist today. Like so many here i have considered myself a slow loser...well relative to all the super speedy ones!...and I have been down for not seeing results as quickly as I wanted.
Well, the nut told me to increase my food. She said at this stage I am healed and should be focusing on eating normally. Wow what a concept! Not 100grams of Protein and 25 carbs?? Nope. She told me to up my cals to 800 and if I don't lose in 2 weeks then up it to 1000. I was shocked! She also said to get 80ish or more carbs a day from fruits and veg and whole grains. I have never been more thrilled at the idea of a quinua salad and some apple!
Anyway I shared this to confirm that eating real food may make the journey a bit slower but all the tastier and hopefully lasting.
Courtney

I started therapy. It made me realize how much I was using food to suppress emotions. Every emotion I had somehow included food into that feeling. I'm learning to feel without needing the food. I hope that makes sense. It's hard... Really hard but it's getting better.

Maybe this was true before having it done laparoscopic, just because of the weakened abdominal muscles after such a large incision. I don't see it being a problem now though.

Use smaller plates and bowls and silverware. I confess though.. I lick my bowl and plate
*hangs head in shame*

Sleeve - first let me say I am sorry for your loss. You have a great attitude and you are right, it will happen.
My husband's birthday is July 26th. By that date I would like to be down 12 1/2 lbs (I have 25 to lose to get to goal).
To accomplish this: I will -
1) train for a 5K - signed up for a couch to 5 K class that starts this Thursday.
2) work with a personal trainer (signed up for 5 weeks of training)
3) continue to follow my current eating regimen of 70+ g Protein, 60+ oz of Water, calories in the 800-1000 range AND
4) take a Strong Woman class (10 weeks)
This is SO do-able for us!!

Hi Sleeve. sorry to hear about your loss, but when the time is right, I'm sure you'll have a beautiful healthy baby.
I've just started my sleeve journey, so I would like to be able to lose 40 - 50 pounds by July 5th, my birthday.
I plan on doing this by:
1. Walking at least 5 miles everyday
2. Sticking to my high Protein (60-80 grams per day) and low carb diet
3. Drinking at least 8 glasses of Water

I have fat fingers. I will *add to the post if I think of anything else concrete*
Amendment 1---lose weight in fingers? :-)

I love this thread. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your positive outlook is beautiful and healthy. It'll happen when it happens. :-)
My goals by my 28th bday July 1:
1. Work out 5 days a week HARD to be able to keep up with my fit friends in the gym
2. Size 10. I am a 16 now. I don't know how much weight this is (I am 5')
3. Have logged I to mfp every day
4. April kayak and hiking trip I want to keep up and even lead!
How I'm gonna get there:
1. Make training appointments and workout buddy schedule. If I'm accountable I will go. And paying someone helps get me there!
2. Log everything even that tiny bite of brownie and even if it was up overestimating my calories. Keep Protein >65, carbs <50 on average, 64oz Water
3. Congratulate myself for all accomplishments and forgive myself for my mistakes.
Thanks sleeve of steel for this post. I will admire if I think of anything concrete.
Courtney