chefkelly

Is anyone usually pretty hungry about an hour after they exercise? Today I walked 9 miles (I usually only do 5), I also did couch to 5k within that loop and by the time I rode the subway home and stopped to get a salad from a salad bar at a café I was starved when I got home. Some days when I really push myself exercising, I feel like I can eat more and it worries me.

Thank you for all the great feedback! There is always that fear that I am going to stretch out my pouch or somehow fail at the weight loss. After big workouts is the only time I feel actual hunger and it can be a bit bothersome!

Thank you all for the kind words! I am terrible about keeping with things on the internet so sorry this is late! I just reached my first goal of 100 pounds down by October 1 and am 101.5 pounds down as of this morning! I set my next goal as onederland by Thanksgiving so basically 15 pounds a month for the next two months. I am really kicking up the exercise and being meticulous about recording what I eat in My Fitness Pal in order to achieve this goal, I know it will be challenging. I have started Couch to 5k (and I am dreading when it is too cold to do it outside) I also do the elliptical at the gym for 30 min and then strength training and toning for 30 min (my loose skin is starting to get bad). I also read online that Yoga is really good for loose skin so my sister and I booked a Yoga session in Central Park Saturday morning to see what it is like, I'm a little nervous! I also have a Facebook Page and Blog where I post recipes in anyone is interested. I usually post more on the Facebook page and have just started really doing recipes. Links below. All the best, K https://www.facebook.com/ktcooksjersey http://ktcooks.weebly.com/blog

Hi All, Gastric Bypass was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Weight is something that has consistently been a struggle in my since I was a child. I was never a target of bullying but little comments, even comments that were well meaning, over time made me feel like because of my weight I wasn't good enough to be happy or confident. As I grew older, even when I was very confident in other parts of my life, there was still always the voice in the back of my head telling me I wasn't good enough because I was overweight. I had tried every fad diet and had lost weight several times just to gain it back. Which is so frustrating. I remember telling my bariatric counselor my biggest fear about surgery was failing, and she asked why this was and I said because I have never succeeded at weight loss before. It was something that constantly told me I wasn't strong and I didn't have self control and because of this I didn't deserve to be happy or healthy. In college I studied Sociology and Horticulture in relation to agriculture, food, the environment,and social issues and later went on the culinary school. My focus as a cook is on creating a sustainable diet for humans. For something to be sustainable, it has to follow a three tier system; it must be economically sustainable, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. A huge part of the socially equitable part of sustainable eating is that it needs to be food that is healthy and nourishes people, not food that makes people sick. It is incredibly hard for me to feel confident speaking to these issues and pursuing a career in this field when I am very overweight and when I had trouble controlling myself when it came to food. It made me feel like a failure, I know how to cook healthy food, I teach others to be healthy and I couldn't get control of my weight. The decision to have surgery came this spring. After breaking my leg and being out of work, then moving to the Northeast, I had gotten to my highest weight, 334 pounds. I was incredibly depressed and had little self confidence. Though I was working as a personal chef, it was hard for me to network myself because I had no confidence to tell people that I would cook healthy foods for them when I was hitting rock bottom when it came to my weight. I also need another surgery and need to lose weight before I can have it. My mom and dad came to town to visit and after they left my dad called me and asked if I wanted to have the surgery. It was something that I had thought about when I was younger but at the time the sacrifices seemed too big. It was very emotional to have my dad ask if I wanted the surgery because it is admitting that I needed help and I couldn't beat it on my own. We talked about it for a few hours and I decided to have it. To get ready I started walking a 2 miles a day and followed all the guidelines set out. I also did a ton of research on what not only GB patients were eating but also looked in to what people who have had other surgeries were eating. I started following a lot of instagram accounts of people who have had some sort of bariatric surgery for tips and motivation. I flew home for the surgery, enjoyed some fried chicken livers for my night before surgery meal and it was time to do it. Surgery isn't a huge source of anxiety for me, I have had several throughout my life. My biggest concern, after a lot of research, was developing a leak. My Dr. spoke of not having had a leak in a few years and his method to prevent leaks, it put me at ease. My surgery went very well. I was in a lot of pain when I woke up, it felt like I had done a really intense ab workout. The hospital staff were phenomenal at taking care of me. It made me feel better to get up and walk, that is something I recommend doing a lot of. The pain lasts about 24 hours though and then I was basically fine. I lost 12 pounds in the first week. Just make sure you follow the rules, it may seem tough but a week of broth and crackers is minuscule in the scheme of things. My transitions were always ver smooth. I started walking between 6 and 8 miles a day about 2 weeks after surgery and was feeling like I had way more energy than usual. I ate a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese and whitefish and soft lunch meats. I tried and still try to really limit my cheese intake because of the high fat content. When it was time to transition to regular foods I took it slow, eating a lot of softer choices still and just a bite of things at a time. I really liked tuna steaks. Now that I am three months out I have had more time to try things and develop a diet. I have to leave for work at 5 A.M. and don't have a taste for Breakfast at that time in the morning so I usually eat a Quest Nutrition Bar, which has twenty grams of Protein and around 3 to 4 active carbs. I chose Quest Bars over other Protein Bars because they are the most healthy on the market and also because they are low carb. I try to stay away from simple carbohydrates and really just processed foods in general. I follow the "shop around the edge of the grocery store" rule, that is shop for things that need refrigeration as most things in the middle aisles are usually very processed (Beans, grains, nuts would all obviously be exceptions]. I work in the kitchen at Whole Foods, so I am constantly tasting things throughout my workday and because I am at Whole Foods, these things are usually vegetables, fish, Proteins etc.. This was a conscious decision to work in a kitchen very focused on health food while I am in this loosing phase. I also make sure and keep very hydrated. For lunch when I get off work around 1:3o I will usually eat nuts or lunch meat and cheese wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves or some protein from dinner the night before. I usually keep an organic rotisserie chicken on hand for a quick snack. For snack when I feel like eating junk food I eat the almonds that taste like BBQ, Salt and Vinegar and Wasabi and Soy. Also I love pumpkin seeds. I also roast off chickpeas with spices for a snack. I also like the little sweet peppers. For dinner I always do a protein and two veg. Some of my favorites are rack of lamb, chicken wings (on the grill and very burned so most of the fat is off], grilled tuna, squid and skate wing, veal chops and chicken thighs. I like all different kinds of vegetables and salads. I have days where I feel like I can eat more than I should and days were I am incredibly full after two bites. Sometimes I splurge but if I do it is only a few bites. Overall I am very happy with my weight loss and the way I feel. I have more energy, clothes fit way better, but the best feeling is finally feeling like i have control over my body and my weight!!! I rarely have problems, I have been sick on a few occassions. One from trying a bite of bread and once from asparagus. I felt very sick for about ten min. then it went away. Exercise is an important part of every day and just generally making sure I am not laying around and doing nothing. I am just at the beginning of my journey not even half way to my goal but I feel very confident that for once I can say I've got this!

I am having surgery April 2nd and am 23 years old. My starting weight is 329 lbs and my goal weight is 151. Obviously I know this will be a long process and everyone is different but I am looking for helpful advice from those who have a significant amount fast, like 100 pounds in the first six months and numbers like that. What diet did you follow- 3 meals a day or 5 meals? When did you start working out and what did you do to start? Like I said I know everyone differs but would love some insight!

I am 2 weeks out and 22.4 pounds down since surgery, while I am super happy with my results this far I can't help but have this fear that I'll start gaining once I eat food again. How many calories did everyone eat per day at first? Pic is the day before surgery/today.

Wow! Congratulations! How many calories and what kinds of foods do you eat? What about working out? And if you don't mind my asking what was your starting weight? Sorry for all the questions!

Thanks! How many calories have you been eating throughout the process? My doctor says not to count but it is hard for me not to have a gauge.

Hi, I'm about 5 weeks post op now and 38 pounds down but have been stalled for a week. I get anxiety that I'm eating too much or going to mess this up, it's a head game but I'm pushing forward

Thank you all for the feedback and support. I've been feeling better and loosing weight since I've started eating.

I don't think this surgery is by any means easy or the easy way out but I don't understand why it enrages people who do so much? You're entitled to you opinion but I just can't understand why it makes people so mad when they have no idea what your story is or what you are going through. Also, when someone is in the news for losing with the surgery they get tons of hateful comments about how they are lazy and the surgery was too easy and they should have to struggle with trying to lose it without. People would be a lot better off if they would just let others live their lives and quit judging.

I am! It doesn't seem possible that it is so close!

Wow that is impressive! What type of exercise program are you doing?

This made me laugh, I totally agree!

Yes, awesome advice. Thank you!

My date is a month from today exactly, any tips for preparing? Things to buy to help the process? I am so excited but so nearvous. I know I am making the right decision but worry what if it doesn't work for me. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!

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I've been thinking about this a little topic a little more. I am sure so many people on this board can relate to this feeling but I wanted to weigh in again on helping your children make healthy decisions. My mom and dad were always very adamant about me losing weight. This never came from a place of wanting me to be something I wasn't. My dad just never wanted it to hold me back and my mom's dad was always really hard on her about her weight- basically, they just wanted me to be the happiest version of myself. I knew this my entire life. I knew they were never judging me and didn't love me any less because of it- it was totally well meaning. It still felt awful and like I was disappointing them but I knew they wanted in for me- not for them. I love m parents-they are the most supportive and wonderful people. I think the way the approached weight loss with me was MUCH better than belittling it but it also made me look at it as being miserable. I grew up in an incredibly small town in Kansas- no designer health foods- meat and potatoes- processed foods etc were the norm. My parents didn't grow up knowing a lot about nutrition- and the always followed fad diets. I always saw it was bad food was fun and good and healthy food was miserable. I think that the approach of really teaching your kids about health, and agriculture and how food affects our bodies is key to making a difference. It shouldn't be approached as a punishment for being overweight. Bad food is disgusting- the stuff in it hurts us, it makes us sick, it damages the environment- and if that ideology have been presented in to me when I was younger in an accessible way maybe I wouldn't have the problems I have today. In college I studied how food affects our culture and social relationship as well as horticulture science and it opened my eyes to food issues. And also learning about traditions in different culture and how to grow food and how food can nourish our bodies in a beautiful way. I would love if every kid could capture this feeling. Cooking and eating connects to nature, the people who cook and produce it and people who have come before us- whether we are celebrating, socializing or mourning- it involves food. It is truly- as James Beard has said- a common ground among people. We should know about what we are eating, how it is made, teach it as something to enjoy in the utmost thoughtful way- in regards to health and other ways. I think that is the way to approach health with children- just my two cents. I'm a bit of a romantic when it comes to the way I look at the world ha. Animal, vegetable, miracle by Barbra king solver is a good book about a mother who moves her family out to a farm to grow their own food for a year to learn about food. Also I have clients tomorrow but will try to get you those recipes ASAP!

What are some of your favorite foods and what types of foods can you handle? How have your taste become different? I am a personal chef and am curious about the kind of food I will enjoy after surgery. Right now I do enjoy eating healthy food, I am mainly a volume eater. One of my favorite meals in pork roast with a spicy rub then greek yogurt as a cooling agent. How do you handle spices?

Bananas won't give you the berry flavor but if you're just using the fruit juice they'll help with that frothing you described by providing a creamy texture. When you freeze something it dulls the flavor- hence freezing the banana so that it has little flavor compared to a raw banana.

Absolutely send me your info and I will get you the recipes! They are all very simple and quick!

If you want the mixed berry flavor you could get the mixed berry mix and when it is completely de thawed run it through a cheesecloth to get all the juice out of it with no seeds and maybe even pick out the berries with seeds and use those whole or buy extra of the berries without any and fruits without any just for texture. Make sure and get all of that juice and squeeze tight in that cheesecloth! Another tip for smoothies would be add in some fresh greens (like spinach or kale) they are great for you and you can barely taste them in your smoothie! Bananas are really good for giving smoothies that smooth texture as well, especially half frozen. You could also add a little unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate taste. About a year ago smoothies were super popular- there are a million recipes out there.

Our food supply- like most other things in our society- is controlled by people who have money. The people who have the money are unfortunately people who make junk food. And the government subsidises corn and grain- not healthy fruits and veg. Junk food is made by people with the money to market well. I feel hopeful that eating well seems to be taking a turn towards eating real foods and not the fad diets that have taken place in the past. People want to be healthy but it is hard when there are so many different messages. I wish public school would reintroduce classes that teach nutrition and basic cooking skills- I'm happy so many nonprofits and after school programs are taking initiative.

This was an accident-- don't know how to delete

I'm not married and I don't have children however I majored in sociology of food in college which included food culture in America so I read several case studies on getting children to eat healthy and the "stigma" of healthy eating. One way to get children to be more motivated is grow some produce or visit a farm- being involved in the process (including cooking) helps motivate to eat fresh foods. I think another thing is everyone should become a little more educated on why they should eat healthy. It helps to not look at it as some pain in the ass thing they have to do- it nourishes our bodies, helps us think more clearly etc. knowing why foods are good helps me appreciate the flavor of raw veggies and healthy food over fried foods and junk. Break it down- a mcdonalds chicken mcnuggets has some nasty stuff in it. Also, find a way to make healthy versions of your favorite foods. My sister used to love junk food and I've been living w her the past year and I typically cook lean meats with fresh produce healthy grains etc. the other day she said I've ruined her on junk food after she ate Taco Bell. Some of her favorites are tacos with ground chicken and ice burg lettuce instead of shells, all things cauliflower (cauliflower mash, cauliflower tots, cauliflower soups, cauliflower crust). Hamburgers made with lean meat and mushrooms as buns, seasoned and roasted nuts, seeds and beans as snacks, Greek yogurt cheesecake with nut/rolled oat crust, Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream (seasons roasted red peppers, garlic, etc) etc. I'll attach some pics of how good these can be! (I ended up attaching cauli tots and mushroom burger, spaghetti squash with cauli Alfredo and chicken sausage, cauli and squash soup w roasted red peppers and goats cheese, quiche, beet and goats cheese squares w/ balsamic redux, cheesecake and I forgot other but if you want any of the recipes they're all super healthy!!) I wrote a 50 pg healthy eating guide for a class I taught in college about eating healthy on a budget if you want me to send it to you.