Alright kids, I've asked your opinion on this before, but need to get more information to bring to my nutritionist.

I get 2 opinions from LBT Bandsters on:

Do I eat my 3 squares and two Snacks as prescribed vehemently? It is supposed to keep up my metabolism. My NUT insists on this. I know all NUTS and Surgeons have different ideas as to this. I've heard good arguments for this type of eating.

OR

Do I only eat when I'm hungry? Possibly compromising my rate of metabolism. For most of the month (except when TOM makes it known and I find I gain weight during that time) I'm not very hungry. I haven't eaten all day and could not eat my dinner. So, I wonder, why force myself to eat something every two hours when I'm just fine without eating (not doing it on purpose).And I'm concerned about the Starvation mode kicking in.

Tell me how you feel about this. Give me a great argument to bring to my NUT.

I eat something always with in 30 mins of getting up ...my nut says for me thats what i need...most days its just a greek yogurt with flax seed.....then I do try to eat a lunch and dinner...because I like to sit down with my family for meals...during the day if I am hungry I do eat...something of protein......for the most part I dont need snacks.......good luck !

I eat when I'm hungry. If that's only 2 meals in a day, then that's what I eat. If I am hungry for all 3 meals and a snack in between, then I eat that.

My surgeon believes very strongly that listening to your body's natural hunger cues is important to successful weight loss. He says if I'm not hungry for dinner, then don't eat, because eating when not hungry is counter productive to the necessary mental changes to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

For the most part, I eat in response to hunger - usually it's 3 meals a day, and 1 to 2 snacks. I use "My Fitness Pal" religously, and mostly stay at a range of 1100-1300 calories a day. I find that amount of food is very satisfying, and I'm not hungry as long as, (and this is the most important part), I have a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day. My doctors also believe that one does not slow their metabolism down by taking in few too many calories. They feel that it's all a numbers game, with calories taken in verses expenditure going out. We all go through plateaus, but that's just the bodies way of catching up to the changes happening.

It is best to spread your nourishment out across the day. In my opinion that means at least three "meals: per day.

I like this post and the reason I say this is because we all pretty much follow the same set of rules BUT the posters in this thread have shown how they have personally applied the rules to themselves, their lifestyle and their daily routines. They get in their day requirements in how it suits them. They get it, they get how this all works. And by getting it each one is and has been successful.

Well said... we are all unique individuals.

Bee Healthy!

Great thread! I am still figuring out what works for me since my last fill.

I seem to agree with those of you who only eat when hungry.I'm just certain my NUT will argue the 3 squares. "You need food for energy." "You'll keep your metabolism at a consistent level."

But I simply cannot force myself to eat when I'm not hungry. I tried the other day to eat my shrimp and broccoli dinner after not having Breakfast or lunch, and I got through two shrimp and stopped. I felt sick to my stomach, actually, abdomen.

Forcing food seems wrong, especially when you can't eat. I've GOT to tell my NUT to let me eat only when hungry. Why force food to a super obese person!

Thanks all for posting and sharing your stories!