Newme17

@Berry78 thanks for replying to all of them! My doctor has me on track to get to 178lbs. This is my goal weight with them, but isn't my healthy bmi goal weight. I do need to emphasize that although folks may believe their set point has arrived, it does not mean that it is indeed it or has to stay there. The sleeve does about 60-65% of the work for you really (provided you stick with your plans)...the other 35-40% we have to do on our own. This is why we adopt better lifestyles in diet and exercise during the first year so we can continue it all and make the goals we want to achieve. You will have to fight the "set point" that you believe you're in. You will have to change up your routines, in diet and exercise. You all can do this....keep your chins up! And congrats on all of your successes. I hope to hear this when I've made my 60-65% as well.

Congrats to everyone on that special day, 9/19!!

Okay...after my workout at the gym I woke up with extra determination today. I've decided I'm not going home right after work, but will swing by the gym and get my time in. This way, I won't have to interrupt family time in the evenings. Also, because I was unable to workout for a couple of weeks, I felt like jello. After last night's weight session, I feel a little bit firmed up again...but it's another road to stick to. I prayed against any illness and injuries that would prohibit me from doing the best I can. During my lunch today, I decided to do a small workout. I've got Pandora Radio on with 80's hits (the best music to workout to, in my opinion) and worked up a sweat. I'm fortunate to be able to wear whatever to work, so I usually have workout clothes on so it works out great. No one is here either...just me, all by my lonesome self. The best office ever. LOL Yesterday, I did some squats in between duties. Sitting down for so long is awful really. So, here's to my new routine...may God help me stick to it.

Have fun! Sounds like a GREAT weekend.

I think of this often too....and often think of the long term effects...wls or not, not getting the fiber and antioxidant nutrition from plants is a recipe for some problems internally down the road...just my take on it and a lot of science behind it.

Yes I agree. Good cholesterol has gotten a bad rap, just like carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap. We need these both, just the good ones. ?

Here's a good list to start. I personally would eliminate the fatty fish and limit the olive oil. But the rest are everything on a good wholesome plant based diet.

Why not both? Just be sure to leave out the processed foods from the vegan...which will leave you with a Whole Foods plant based diet anyway! ?

You're welcome hon. It's my pleasure.

No issues digesting kale at all. But it did take me a while in the beginning of trying to go plant based (two years ago) to actually like kale. Lol. Now it's my favorite. I actually told my husband I love it more than spinach now. So, as for when I tried after surgery, I don't recall the exact time, but I think I was maybe 4 weeks out when I started to add actual salad, probably made with kale and spinach. I have been fortunate to not have any digestive issues at all and it's even better now being on a plant based diet. No tummy trouble for me. But as I'm writing this, I actually had kale from the get go. My nut approved of me making little ice cubed sized "green bombs" and putting them in my shakes from day 2 or 3 post op. It's when I started protein drinks. Anyway, the green bombs were a mixture of kale, spinach, cucumbers, green apple, ginger, and avocado blended in my nutribullet with a little water. I poured them in ice cube trays and froze them. Would pop a couple in a protein shake and have my veggies with my drink. It was great. ive heard of many issues with the lapband, so I won't be surprised if you may not have any issues when the time is right.

First thing I thought was "how much is your dairy intake?" Just as Apple asked, do you eat a lot of eggs, cheese, etc (and oils). That'll play a good role in bad cholesterol being high. Here's an excerpt of a great article. ....it appears we need to drastically reduce our intake of trans fat, which comes from processed foods and naturally from meat and dairy; saturated fat, found mainly in animal products and junk foods; and, playing a lesser role, dietary cholesterol, found exclusively in animal-derived foods, especially eggs. Notice the pattern? The three boosters of bad cholesterol—the number-one risk factor for our number-one killer—all stem from eating processed foods and animal products. This likely explains why populations living on traditional diets revolving around whole plant foods have largely remained free from the epidemic of heart disease. https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/cholesterol/

I am still learning a lot myself! Lol. I get interested in things and start looking stuff up on the internet. It was Apple's signature quote that piqued my interest about the myths etc. Here's a great site for science based information about anything to do with being healthy: https://nutritionfacts.org/

I think it's a matter of preference. I tend to go by Whole Foods plant based. Vegan can have a lot of other things than just veggies and fruits, as long as there are no animal products used, which can be a whole lot of junky processed foods as well. There are Healthy vegans though. If I had to label my lifestyle it'll have to vegetarian currently, because I do have an egg or some cheese every now and then; but it's probably 90% plant based. But I am not all that big on labels, so I say I eat a WFPB diet if the subject of diet comes up.

I don't worry about the protein anymore. I just stick to making sure I eat my Whole Foods and I believe it'll take care of itself as well. So, in other words, I could probably sit down and figure out what I ate today and how much is in it, etc...but that's not me. If I did it, I'm sure I probably got a good dose of plant proteins, etc in. Doesn't stop me from not having any energy or even lifting weights at the gym (although I need to do more). I just believe my body is taking care of itself. Now, I do like to have some cold brew with a protein shake every now and then (so that helps!) and I do have plant protein shakes from time to time too. Oh, and I eat an egg here and there as well. ?

I swear you just wrote about my husband!!!! Lol. He's a licensed aircraft mechanic for the Navy, currently. ? His coworkers are doing the same! He's always got some story about the guys giving him grief as well. Lol

No fancy dinner tonight. Hit the gym earlier and came home ravenously hungry. I did a quick small kale salad with strawberries, feta, and some pepitas. Drizzled a little bit of the Olive Garden brand house dressing on it. It's pretty good though. Tomorrow, I plan to have another kale salad. One I've made before, last week, I think! Lol. I'll share a pic then too. Here's tonight's little put together salad.

Many times I ignore posting a reply if there's no info on the profile. I am a detailed kind of gal and like to have most everything filled in, it'd be nice if others did the same, but we can't have a world full of Newme17's or we'll all go crazy. ? or not?? Maybe it could be heaven on earth. Hahaha!!!

Yes. You can buy it otc. There are a couple of types though, not sure which would benefit the best though. You can get most of your potassium through plants and legumes. If you like dates, they have more potassium than bananas.

That is so cute!

Everything she said ^^^^. Follow your doc's orders during a pregnancy and always remember, it's all about the baby. Due to other complications during my pregnancy (had before surgery) , I gained 15 lbs only following every order given. Doc reminded me all the time, "it's not about you, but the health of your baby" remember this and congrats on your success thus far and baby to be soon.

This is a hard one. Same here.

You're welcome and yes, much healthier! Welcome to the thread. ?

I don't recall if I gained anything or even lost anything. My initial weight is what the insurance company went with, so it wouldn't have mattered to gain or lose. Obviously, the doctor and team wanted a loss. So anyway, you're absolutely right...going such a low cal diet is NOT sustainable for anyone. I agree with @DropWt4Life, give yourself back some cals. If you'd really like to see how much you're supposed to be eating to maintain the weight you're at now, find a few online calculators to give you an average of calories needed.

Today's dinner. Purple Power Bowls YUM pic is before I poured the lemon tahini sauce on it https://www.budgetbytes.com/2016/08/purple-power-bowls/

What's the snack? Lol update: NEVERMIND! Took my phone long enough to load it.