esskay77

I'm going to try the plain nonfat greek yogurt. I have tried FF Cottage Cheese. It was ok, doable but I think I'd like to try something that is smoother like yogurt. I know people who love it with mustard, and these people are not on a weight loss program!! lol

@@Sajijoma Congratulations! THis is fantastic!!!

Had this before surgery but now that I have had the surgery and lost weight it is very normal!

My NUT also recommended Siggi Yogurt but I didn't love it. I may give it another try just to be sure. But it's a nice change of pace anyway. I found it at Target.

@@kjwrn -- not the ones that I have bought so far.

Just because you are not full does not mean you should keep eating. In fact, we should never get "full". (note--even though I am writing this to you, I am actually telling this to myself because I also keep eating until I'm full). My surgeon and NUT said that if there were a scale of 1-10 where 1 is starving and 10 is very full, we should be just below a 5. Just slightly on the hungry side but not really hungry.

Oikos Triple Zero in the black containers. All the NUTs are now recommending them. They aren't bad. The triple zero stands for zero sugar, zero fat, and zero artificial sweeteners or something like that.

Yes, the weight loss period is shorter than you will prefer so be extra diligent now, while you can, to maximize weight loss!!! If you have to have pizza, just eat the toppings, especially if they have some with chicken. You'd be surprised at how much you realize the crust isn't really that flavorful. But, make sure you log all that you did eat into your food journal to be held accountable. And write a little note about how you felt--the regret, etc. You can do this! Get back on that horse!

If you are on a computer, go to the top right of the screen where it says "hello" and your name. Click on that to drop down the menu and find Profile or My profile and click that. Then, you can click Edit Profile. You want to change your "display name". It is in there. Let me know if that worked or if I didn't provide enough details.

I had it! Ugh--it was SO Painful and nobody (other than my dr) understood the pain I was in. Basically, it is fallen arches. And it is worse in the morning because as we sleep, our foot is relaxed and the ligaments or whatever they are shrink up a bit. I don't know which thing worked for me but here is what the dr prescribed for me: Wear a "thing" on your foot that is made for this that keeps your foot flexed while you are sleeping. There are plastic boot type things or a little sock-like thing that has a velcro strap to keep your foot flexed. THat is cheaper and more comfy than the boots. THe boots also just keep your foot slightly flexed. The frozen Water bottle--roll your foot over it. Flex the bottom of your feet. Step on something like a step so that you can dip your heels and then up on your toes, then dip again (if that makes sense). My fave--Move the Marble. have some marbles on the floor in a pile. Grab one at a time with your toes and move them to a new pile. WHen you have moved them all, start over and move them back. It's a workout for your feet. To me, for some reason, this seemed to be the best! lol New Balance 800 series shoes were highly recommended. Shoe inserts. My dr recommended and I still use in my sneakers, the shoe inserts to help the arch. This I also felt was very important. I didn't get customized ones that some people i know have done. Just the ones they had in their pharmacy. They are called "Powerstep" ProTech. Best of luck. Let us know how you made out.

My favorite quote is "stay on your own yoga mat". Just worry about yourself. And try to change your mindset. Try to think about the journey you are on. Yeah, right now you can't do much but if you put in the work, imagine where you will be at the end of 12 weeks! You'll get "Most Improved" award! And, as you said you would be doing, do these things on your own during the week so that when you have to meet up for the class, you will already be improved somewhat. Look at this as something to conquer, a challenge--whether it is fun or necessary. You have GOT this! One step at a time, you will be able to improve. We have all been there, we are all still there at some level. I'm still learning to try to run a mile. I just keep trying. I'm not consistent, which you should be and I'm working on improving that but if you are as consistent as possible, you can do this. It's mostly about changing your thinking around it. And only compete with yourself. Try to do a bit more and faster than you did before. Not anyone else. I have every faith that you will do this, succeed and by next year, I bet you will even do a 5k!! S

I switched PCP's as well and it wasn't a problem. You can always switch back again later if you feel like you want to.

Chinese food is a tough one! I was told to stay away form it. But, what they meant is stay away from anything with a sauce on it and the rice and noodles, or anything fried. lol Egg drop soup is still ok. If you get the plain veggies and chicken/shrimp/whatever Protein, that is ok to get but I just can't stand it! If they have edamame then that's perfect. But, my surgeon and my dr and my support group all groan when the Chinese food topic is brought up and everyone says to stay away. Depends on your discipline I guess.

@@ResizingRebecca I did not thin them (mashed potatoes), I ate them as they were. eat them slowly to see how they work for you

First of all, don't try that again! lol. I only say that because your first foray into foods that we aren't supposed to have is just a gateway to do it more! Yes, I said that. Cookies are a gateway drug! lol Anyway, cookies don't make me dump but muffins do. It's a weird blend of things that either do or don't. And even then, it is just the heart racing, weakness, sort of dumping, nothing else. Sometimes some food gives me a stitch on the lower left side of my stomach and that is actually more painful even though it is tolerable to some level. You are just going to have to be strong and not try those things again! Don't push the envelope. S

@@Cervidae We do have a Wegman's. I've never been in one yet but one near me just opened up recently so I'll head over there this next week. Thanks so much

@@Cervidae Wow, I have never heard of Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese but am really excited to go look for it now!!!! Thanks!

I haven't tried any of these but there are Protein pancakes if you really need to have pancakes. There was a recipe on here somewhere that sounded really interesting. I seem to recall they were like Ricotta pancakes. Or, the Vitamin Shop sells the mix to make protein pancakes. I can't vouch for their flavor, though I can say that it seems like something that should wait until a later stage anyway. But you now know that! Best of luck and let us know your progress. S

that seems pretty carb-y. It isn't your best choice though I completely understand your cravings. But if you start eating things like pancakes this early in the game, you will have a harder road ahead of you. You can still be successful but just be careful. If you have any, just have a bite.

You all rock! And totally put me to shame. I'm glad I read this thread and hope it helps me to get back to what I need to do. Apparently I am eating way too much!! Thanks all! You are total Rock Stars.

Aquafor is one of the recommended ointments. I was also told that vaseline works.

I only once pureed actual food. I stuck mainly to yogurts, ricotta cheese, scrambled eggs, soups, protein drinks, applesauce, mashed potatoes, that sort of thing. You aren't going to feel much like eating anyway so don't even bother yourself about pureed steaks or things like that. You don't HAVE to have that type of pureed food.

I did have mashed potatoes--nice and pureed. And I am not a big fan but that was suggested and worked nicely. That and yogurt, sugar free apple sauce, ricotta cheese bake, and if you whip some cottage cheese so it doesn't have any lumps, that works, too. And tomato soup.

I wouldn't eat it during the soft food phase but I may be too overly concerned about how to eat during these phases. I still don't have it very often. For soft foods, I prefer really soft foods that you don't have to chew. I know you can probably not have to chew couscous but I still consider it a chewable food.

Best of luck! You'll do great.