I know that obviously the more low fat the better however when your eating 1/4 of what your used to, wouldn't u naturally lose the weight.

I noticed everybody's talking about how many calories they are eating, I don't count I eat anything that I can only when I feel hungry & make sure I drink plenty of water, would this not work???

It will certainly get you started and may even work for you to help you reach goal.

Personally, I started off the same way then I discovered myfitnesspal.com and it has been another useful tool that has helped me to learn about the fat/calorie content of certain foods, make more informed choices and understand the importance of portion control. It is a tool that is helping me to make and manage the lifetime changes that I need to succeed.

As you may be aware, sometimes you don't have restriction with your band, so it is helpful to have another tool in the kit.

Good luck.

It depend on what you're eating. If you're eating the same foods that led to being fat to begin with, then it won't matter if you're eating less, you won't lose. If you're eating healthy foods (which are lower in calories and fat anyway) then you may be able to lose without counting calories.

As Missy stated, you ate what you wanted before surgery and you see where that got you. I totally understand not wanting to count calories, write food down, measure and weigh but if you can eat what you want and lose weight more power to you. I obviously couldn't and had to count calories, measure and weigh my food and learn to make healthy chooses. I wanted to get it right this time. But beware, if you ar eating everytime you get hungry you may be over eating. Good luck!

I like keepmg track then I know havent cheated and where I need to watch it. like right now my carbs are over so I need to make some changes. fitnesspal helps you do that. I want wait loss every week or most wks anyway it keep me motvated. if you re exercising enought you might not need to but most of us do we want this to be the last time.

good luck to u

line dancer

It is not just the amount of food...but the calories and the health benefit of the food you are eating. I am making sure I chose good food items and make sure that the portion is low...and calories are low too.

Being sensible is a huge factor in the whole game! And I intend to win!!!! :-)

Absolutely! You'll lose weight, but your overall health might not be as good. I lost almost 100 lbs eating whatever I wanted, just in really small portions. I don't count calories, fat grams, or even measure my food. In the last 3 yrs, I've eaten crap. Not very much crap, as I couldn't, but crap nonetheless. My husband point out to me all the time how much garbage I put into my body. He watches carbs (and I LUV me some carbs!), eats as much meat and veggies as he wants and has perfect cholesterol. I eat hardly any meat and I have high cholesterol. Go figure.

My band slipped 6 mths ago and after many unfills/fills/tweaks, I gained 16 lbs eating whatever I wanted to. I'm now 25 lbs to goal, instead of the 9 I used to be. I'm now watching WHAT I put in my mouth, not just how much. The first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning was Taco Bell. I downed my strawberry Protein shake and sucked it up. Had to buy size 10 jeans the other day cuz my 8's don't button anymore. Can't afford a whole new wardrobe, so I need to watch what I'm now putting in my mouth. I won't be counting or measuring, but I will be cutting down on the fast food and the snacking I do.

Today I started the 5 day pouch test and went to play poker at 1 pm in a bar. Smelling the appetizers everyone was eating was hard, but I know I can do this. I'm enjoying my tomato Soup even as I write this.

So yes, you can lose weight eating whatever you want just less of it. But overall, you'll end up eventually jeopardizing your health or eventually gaining weight like I did. It'd be better to eat healthier from the start. You don't need to count or measure. just choose fruit instead of chips or yogurt instead of ice cream.

My .02 cents

Marci

What's the 5 day pouch test?

You can run a search on this site for exact details. In general it's condensing the food program from the first month post op into five days.