Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

bellabloom

Gastric Bypass Patients
  • Content Count

    2,351
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    5

Posts posted by bellabloom


  1. Hahahaha. Wow.

    Okay. I didn't think this post would get so many opinions and emotions going!!

    The Outsidematchinside poster- for some reason she thinks I lie about things on here!? Hahaa okay. Not sure how that would benefit me. She has taken me as some kind of enemy? I don't get it. But whatever. All my old posts are here. Read them if you want. I've told my story multiple times. Sigh.

    I went through a really really hard time the year after my surgery both physically and mentally. Doesn't make me a liar!!

    I had bypass. I had complications. I had it reversed to a sleeve. I had a stricture. I relapsed into anorexia. I went to treatment. I learned about Intuitive Eating as a way to both lose and maintain weight. I'm living that way now and it's completely wonderful. The end.

    Anyway.

    It's up to you guys what you ultimately want to do with your eating post surgery. I'm not trying to convince you but I am offering a viable alternative to dieting forever. Who wouldn't at least give that a chance?

    Dieting was actually how I gained most of my 120lbs of excess weight. I would diet, then binge, then feel guilty, diet, repeat. Every time I "fell off the wagon" I gained weight.

    3 years After my bariatric surgery I can eat A LOT. I started to repeat that same pattern and I started to panic and gained a little weight. I knew I would diet myself obese again!! I wasn't about to let that happen.

    That's when I really committed to Intuitive Eating as an alternative. It works for me because: my body isn't deprived, my mind isn't deprived, my metabolism is super fast because it has fuel, and I NEVER binge or even overeat. I don't need to. I'm really well fed all the time. I eat when I am hungry. I stop when I'm full. Of course, I had to change my ideas about what portions looked like to. I don't overeat but my past diet self would have thought so. I eat approx 2000-3000 calories a day. Sometimes more but not usually less. I don't count but once in awhile I tally up out of curiosity. Eating that much is NORMAL.

    If your going to discount what I'm saying but you don't know anything about Intuitive Eating-- well how do you know I'm not right?

    I'm not anti bariatric surgery!! Bariatric surgery is an awesome tool to get large amounts of weight off quickly. I do not regret my surgery even with the complications I had. Bariatric surgery changes and saves lives!

    I'm not here to argue with you all or debate. Intuitive eating works to stabilize ones weight at ones healthiest set point. It doesn't not cause all out gorging. In fact, the opposite is true. I often pass up foods or don't finish things I would have gorged on before. Because I'm allowed to have anything I want, the urge to overeat goes away.

    But let's take it a step further than what I eat or what I weigh. Let me tell you the best part.

    I DONT CARE ANYMORE. I'm finally living my life. If my body wants to gain weight- fine!! I stopped believing that my weight equated to my value. I stopped worrying about 5 f**king pounds. Or ten pounds. Who cares??

    Being overweight is f**king sexy okay. It's fine. It's not a criminal act. I decided to love myself enough to let go of trying to be more acceptable to other people.

    My weight has stayed exactly the same for a year now as far as I know. My clothes all still fits. Once in awhile I will take my measurements- they are the same as a year ago. Sometimes I seem to get thinner and sometimes a little bigger but I just know that's normal now.

    I can't explain to you in words how amazing my life is now. It's changed everything for me. There was no way I could go on with my life continually watching my food intake and making sure I stayed at my goal weight by dieting behavior. I wasn't able to be truly happy. I had to change my behavior and I had to start loving myself regardless of my weight. I had to stop the obsession with food and weight and the guilt!!

    You're all gonna do what you want to do. I'm offering a hand out to those who might want a different way. I'm just here to help.

    I don't check every day but I will reply to messages if you want to talk.

    I've included some more pictures so you can see I'm not a lying POS. bahahaaa.

    Also I have an Instagram devoted to Intuitive eating. You can go to it and follow if you want to!

    I'm in a few support groups for Intuitive Eating on Facebook as well and there are many members with past bariatric surgeries there.

    Instagram:

    @afeastonyourlife

    Before surgery

    IMG_0310.thumb.JPG.26c981ecd402f7cb5f6617411b8b8f5a.JPG

    At my lowest weight. yuck!

    IMG_5148.thumb.JPG.2ec2d916e2517997ca1a01fa2f272a10.JPG

    Lowest weight vs. after a year of Intuitive Eating

    IMG_1796.thumb.JPG.7d3514881671be54c881b2ad3e44ef94.JPG

    A typical meal for me. I love ketchup!!!

    IMG_5188.thumb.JPG.1d2534a80d0307162e04107289d70974.JPG

    Me and my adorable kids last Sunday!! I'm raising them to be intuitive eaters as well!

    IMG_8172.thumb.JPG.631d59eaa8d0b90281345dcc1d2349db.JPG

    A week or so ago on a work trip.

    IMG_7407.thumb.JPG.cb02dcecc236bafd8c58eec8d2f8ee16.JPG

    That's me! Not a liar. Not a crazy person. Not an anomaly. Just another (formally) fucked up eater trying to figure out how to live healthy and happy.

    IMG_8270.thumb.JPG.e8f8c518d36d1975c5435373cbfc63c6.JPG


  2. Yes I have dumping but my surgery was more complicated than most. It's rare to have it with the sleeve. I get it and it sucks so bad. But it's getting better.

    I've been eating Intuitively for about a year now with some small relapses back into dieting and that mindset but not for more than a day or so.

    The last 3 months I've REALLY let go and stopped weighing myself EVER, stopped even considering what I eat. I eat so much, always listening to my body and it's cravings. I eat all kinds of foods from fresh to processed and savory to sweet. I eat carbs all the time. I love Desserts. I drink alcohol. I enjoy whatever I want. I've not been actively dieting for a year at least but now I've really, really let go of the fear and I'm continuing to make progress. I don't worry about wether I'm eating too much, grazing, eating something fattening. I have really just LET GO.

    I eat when I'm hungry and when I'm full I stop. Honestly I just don't even think about it. I follow my bodies cravings.

    I have gained no weight. I'm exactly the same. If anything, I've lost. I don't know. I don't care. I don't weigh myself. BUT my clothes all still fit perfectly. But who cares anyway.

    My life is finally where I want it to be and I am free.

    I will never ever go back to dieting. I truly believe Intuitive Eating will keep me healthy for the rest of my life.

    Picture of me and my daughter a few days ago.

    IMG_8132.thumb.JPG.48c61757a21ed43ddb00c6493073c34a.JPG


  3. Have you had your blood tested recently to see if you are deficient in anything? Right about 8 months is when my blood work started to look really bad. I also experienced dizziness etc due to very low B1.

    Oh and then there is the whole not eating thing. That can do it too lol.

    Basically- blood work aside- you went out on almost no food- probably less than half what your body needs - for the last 8 months basically on a starvation diet- then had a drink. It was loud and hot and your body is trying to just fuel itself but is being givin very little to work with and is having to use your muscles and fat stores as fuel- your glycogen depleted and yeah----

    That's what happened.
    Get some blood tests and realize you are not in a great state for any alcoholic drinks. If your gonna drink- better eat.



  4. You haven't done anything wrong. Weight loss surgery is a diet just like any other- most people regain their weight if they don't stop dieting and learn another way to eat. Our bodies don't like to be starved and they fight back tooth and nail to keep weight on when they are starved of calories.

    There is no amount of willpower and motivation you will ever have that will fight your biology without also ruining your life. It's not your fault you regained weight. It has nothing to do with willpower.

    Please do yourself a huge favor. Stop dieting. Embrace intuitive eating. It can and will change your life. Your weight will come back down again and you will be a thousand times happier and healthier.

    INTUITIVE EATING- google it. :) good luck. Read my story if you like too.



  5. Hey!

    So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or Protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget.

    I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't.

    Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping.

    I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life.

    I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat.

    I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed Snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein.

    I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know.

    If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.

    IMG_7410.thumb.JPG.4be4752661181886cc1730b5914788c5.JPG IMG_0310.thumb.JPG.b4ee4afa977b003c247fa42d2ee85428.JPG


  6. I am three years out. I am at goal weight and have been maintaining just fine- although I didn't know exactly because in I longer weigh myself. All of my clothes fits. Sometimes it's tight and sometimes loose but it fits.

    I decided I was done with dieting or caring about the number on the scale. I began Intuitive Eating And worked on my body image. Caring about my weight and dieting was ruining my life. I'll never go on another diet and now I am free.

    I now eat whatever I want whenever I want, but because I am mindful this varies widely but mostly good foods. I don't deny myself anything or count calories or limit any type of food that I crave. I pay attention to my cravings and hunger signals- I stop eating when I'm full and eat when I'm hungry.

    I don't weigh myself and I no longer care what happens with my weight. I focus on being able to be strong and active in my busy life and having the fuel I need to do so.

    I'm 5'6 and I would guess I weigh between 125-130 lbs.


  7. Do what you do for you. Not other people. Be aware not everyone feels bad about how they look in regards to their weight. Practicing self love is about seeing after your mental and physical health, only you can know what that means to you.

    All I'm saying is looks are VERY subjective. Forgetting that is indeed risking becoming shallow.

    Love yourself!! It's okay to love yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Be proud of yourself. It's okay to look and feel beautiful no matter what you weight. It's okay to want to be different than you are or to love the you right now.

    Just embrace your fragile human imperfect beautiful self. That's what this is all about.


  8. You're walking 5 miles a day and barely eating. Of course you are feeling hungry. Your body is literally starving. It's trying to keep you alive.

    It's just happening faster with you because of your high energy needs with the walking. Just your walking alone is a 600-700 calorie burn.

    Up your intake until it eases. That's the only advice I can offer at this point. Or stop the walking.

    I didn't workout during my weight loss for exactly this reason.

    You need to eat more.

    I definitely don't believe in cutting carbs. I never did cut any carbs while I lost. Your brain needs glucose and your cravings are telling you so. I used carbs as a vehicle for Protein all along.

    If you have no restriction this is going to be pretty nightmarish for you.


  9. Hmmm.

    Well. Here is the thing...

    You can't know for sure if losing weight and looking better per societal standards are going to help you in the long run.

    I can 100% say I had surgery to look better. That's the main reason I did it. And for awhile it felt GREAT to look better. I felt like a million bucks.

    But it wore off. After a while it wasn't enough.. I found I felt the same about myself. There was always something about my appearance to feel unhappy about. So then I wanted plastic surgery. And I got that. And still... nothing really got better. I felt unsatisfied by another thing and then another.

    I also realized that finally looking better (or what I thought I should look like) left me feeling even more scared and vulnerable about food. What if I gained it back and got ugly again? Was I going to diet forever? I was miserable.

    I was more miserable than ever as I felt even more at risk for losing what I wanted which was to look good to other people.

    Then I realized looking good still wasn't enough to make everyone love me.

    Anyway. In the long run I had to get away from caring about my looks and start working on my life. I had to forget about being good looking and perfect in order to be happy. I said no to any more dieting, made peace with my body. I'm still working on continuing that process every day. I got angry. I got pissed about how I treated myself before I lost weight and how others treated me. I got it through my head that being fat does not equal being ugly.

    Being fat DOES NOT equal being ugly. Period.

    I decided my looks were like getting an unexpected bonus from work but they weren't what made me deserve that bonus. Looks are secondary to happiness and they should be. Looks are subjective. Lots of people like overweight body types and visa versa. I wasn't ugly before and that is what I needed to realize.

    It's okay to want to take care of yourself and to feel good but it's important to make sure that physical appearance is what you need to do that. What will REALLY make you happy/unhappy?

    Taking care of your appearance isn't vanity and neither is practicing self care. Just don't forget about all the other factors in your relationship with yourself and others that matter.

    And be careful what you say about yourself to others. Being overweight does not imply anything negative about a person. Just because you feel that being thin is important to you doesn't mean it's okay to be negative about body weight- remember there are many people out there working to love themselves as they are and they don't agree with you about what is attractive.

    Don't feel badly about what you want for yourself but don't place your aesthetic beliefs on others.

    When you say "I lost weight to look better" you are making a value statement to others about what is attractive. You are saying that being at a higher weight isn't attractive. That can hurt others a lot. Being at any weight can be attractive, period.


  10. You don't even need them. Maybe the first day or two in hospital. After that Tylenol should be just fine.

    Take my advice- deal with the pain. Narcotics will make your recovery and Constipation SO MUCH WORSE.

    I just had full body plastic surgery on Tylenol. Trust me it can be done.



  11. I'm three years out from surgery.

    Today I ate:

    Breakfast:

    Avocado turkey sandwich

    Snack:

    Light frappacinno

    Beef Jerky

    Lunch:

    Veggie sandwich

    salad with dressing and blue cheese

    Glass of wine

    Snack:

    Few pieces of cheese and crackers

    Dinner:

    bread roll

    Mashed potatoes

    Little bit of pulled pork

    Salad with ranch and sunflower seeds

    Snack:

    chocolate cake

    A regular coke

    Late night snack:

    Microwave pizza

    Hot pocket

    Sour Licorice

    Some m and ms candy

    This is pretty typical for me on days I work during which I'm on my feet about 12 hours non stop almost running the whole time. On a normal day I would eat this minus the late night snack... I wouldn't be quite that hungry but maybe... it just depends.

    I eat to my hunger cues now and don't count calories or weigh myself. I simply eat if and when I am hungry and whatever appeals to me. I 100% reject dieting ever again and I will never try and restrict my intake to lose weight again.

    I'm skinny as a rail and have been that way for over 2 years. I don't frankly care much anymore though. Life is better when you are free to eat and self worth isn't based on weight or some stupid number on a scale. I enjoy my life.

    Here I am today enjoying all that yummy food. IMG_6952.JPG

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×