Cassandra Maughan

I’m down 175 lbs since 9/12/22 and currently eat 1700-1900 calories a day. I’ll hit my surgeon’s goal in the next 1-2 weeks and I’m about 30 lbs from my personal goal. You can damage your metabolism staying at 800-1200 calories for life. I have adjusted very slowly first going to 1400, then 1500, 1600, and now I try for 1700 but do go as high as 1900. On vacation I ate 2500+, gained 3 lbs and lost 5 the week I got back. I am very concerned about disordered eating and a lifestyle that is sustainable long term. I do exercise quite a bit, mostly because I genuinely love food and want to be able to indulge in small ways without stalling my progress too much. It’s about balance.

Minimum an hour a day, 7 days a week. Sometimes 1.5 hours. But I also don’t love exercise so I had to find things I enjoyed or at least find tolerable. For me my top choices are swimming, Water aerobics, and walking. I need to do more strength training because more muscle burns more calories.

Best Christmas gift ever-the first time my weight has had a “2” in front of it in 20+ years. That’s the only time in my life stepping on a scale has resulted in a smile!

Best Christmas gift ever-the first time my weight has had a “2” in front of it in 20+ years. That’s the only time in my life stepping on a scale has resulted in a smile!

Best Christmas gift ever-the first time my weight has had a “2” in front of it in 20+ years. That’s the only time in my life stepping on a scale has resulted in a smile!

I ate a lot of calories (there was dessert) but what was crazy is because of the volume restriction from the pouch I still stayed around what a normal person would eat on a normal non-holiday day. Basically just allowed myself to eat everything except bread which was a very nice change. Then I lost two pounds overnight! It might be back today so I am going to stay off the scale a few days.

I ate a lot of calories (there was dessert) but what was crazy is because of the volume restriction from the pouch I still stayed around what a normal person would eat on a normal non-holiday day. Basically just allowed myself to eat everything except bread which was a very nice change. Then I lost two pounds overnight! It might be back today so I am going to stay off the scale a few days.

I haven't tried gum but I have used straws a few times with no issues. The cravings are something I understand though and I'm sad to have them. I was looking forward to not being hungry and being happy on my Protein diet, but it hasn't been as easy as I hoped.
If its just a rare event then it shouldn't hurt anything at all as far as weight loss. The hard part is the mental one after a treat day. You realize you can eat those bad for you foods and then you want them more and more often. If you can handle the mental part and go back to the prescribed diet and stay on it then I think a treat day every once in a while can be fine. I plan on thanksgiving being my treat day and I'll eat the carbs and dessert and just relax for one day. This diet is like a full time job sometimes.

I am and I have a surgical site infection. Everyone else seems to be on to Tylenol, heading back to work and doing fine and I am still barely getting around. If it seems abnormal, don’t hesitate to check it out.

liquids here with occasional egg whites or cottage cheese. I sooo want to cheat but hanging in there on day 7.

You are my surgery twin! We got this girl