I had my second fill yesterday up to 4ccs and I believe I've hit my green zone. I had a yogurt this morning and if I hadn't had to feed my kids I wouldn't have even thought about food all day...so I had a Protein shake (liquids and mushies only today!) and I really don't want anything else.

But...eating 500 cal/day is only going to hurt me in the end...

How do ya'll get in enough food when you don't want to eat? They say 3 meals /day but only a cup of food...how does that add up to enough?

I just am not understanding how I'm supposed to be eating. I already have an unhealthy relationship with food and I don't want to make it worse....

On Monday I'll be making an appt with my nutritionist, but honestly? I usually get better information from this forum.

Help! There are so many success stories...how are you doing the food part?

How do you do this? Is it based on what your body says is enough or by how much/often you exercise? Or what? I do myfitnesspal and am pretty consistent at 1000-1100cal/day. That's me getting in my protein first then eating what more I want. I'm not actually dieting as in forgoing food when I'm still hungry...that's me feeling satisfied after meals.

Hello logging is a great way to get intimate with what is actually going in your body and understanding how your body reacts to it. Your log can be as simplex or complicated as you want. Think of it as a science experiment if you will. If you simply want to see how many calories you should take in for optimal weight loss...record your foods (their calories) and any calories you burned from exercise (deduct from calories taken in). Than record your weight daily (same time- I recommend naked in the a.m. before eating/drinking). Follow the trend. If you are eating 1500 calories and you are gaining. Scale back 100 cals. Any improvements? If you are losing stay at that range. If you are not, scale back on your cals until you start losing consistently. 0.2 lb/day is the standard. The opposite can be done as well. Let's say you workout everyday and you are only taking in 800 cals. Perhaps you are taking in too little. Add 100 cals until you see wl. Do NOT make huge changes or inconsistent changes. For example, don't go from 1500 to 1000. That alone can put you into a plateau and that's not a fair representation of what your body would do with a calorie reduction. Also, your log is only as reliable as you are consistent. So if you workout every day, keep it up. If your target is 1000 cals than eat as close to that as possible. +- 100 calories can really effect the outcome. Mind you, you will need to readjust everytime something changes (working out more/less for example). I hope this helps

Had some wine tonight , white wine so im hoping that is a clear fluid ...and yes it tasted great , and no issues with sticking ....not sure if I should but didn't see it anywhere in my not to do.... I wanted it so I had some , not going to beat myself up over it , it is what it is peace my fellow banders

Karen, I would advise against consuming alcohol for a couple reasons (at this stage). 1) right now your stomach is on the high acidic side. Making you prone to things like acid reflux and ulcers. Alcohol and caffeine alike increase acidity in the stomach and can predispose you to these complications. 2) I know you may feel like you don't have to watch calories, but these mindless liquid calories are not what your body needs right now. Protein is essential for recovery. Alcohol is a blood thinner and thus slows healing. It offers no nutritional value. and 3) Right now is the prime time to follow the rules, being diligent with healthful choices etc. You are establishing new habits and a foundation for the remainder of your banded life. Yes, alcohol can be consumed when you are banded. I would just advise against it until you are well established on solids for now.

Some time before I was banded I discovered My Plate Calorie Tracker by Livestrong. When filling out your profile, you decide how active you are and how many pounds you want to lose on a weekly basis. With your height and weight, it automatically tells you how many calories you need each day. I track everything I eat and drink, and I can keep track of my protein intake for the day. If I'm low on protein, I add a protein shake or a glass of skim milk, depending on my needs. I really believe that keeping recording my food intake has kept my weight going down.

Sorry I also forgot to add that many people who are postop are on narcotics and drinking alcohol is a major contradiction.

I have church in the morning Anna but call me tomorrow if you need to talk.

Some time before I was banded I discovered My Plate Calorie Tracker by Livestrong. When filling out your profile' date=' you decide how active you are and how many pounds you want to lose on a weekly basis. With your height and weight, it automatically tells you how many calories you need each day. I track everything I eat and drink, and I can keep track of my Protein intake for the day. If I'm low on protein, I add a Protein shake or a glass of skim milk, depending on my needs. I really believe that keeping recording my food intake has kept my weight going down.[/quote']

That's what I use. I had to adjust the calories though because it set me at 3045.

Hello logging is a great way to get intimate with what is actually going in your body and understanding how your body reacts to it. Your log can be as simplex or complicated as you want. Think of it as a science experiment if you will. If you simply want to see how many calories you should take in for optimal weight loss...record your foods (their calories) and any calories you burned from exercise (deduct from calories taken in). Than record your weight daily (same time- I recommend naked in the a.m. before eating/drinking). Follow the trend. If you are eating 1500 calories and you are gaining. scale back 100 cals. Any improvements? If you are losing stay at that range. If you are not' date=' scale back on your cals until you start losing consistently. 0.2 lb/day is the standard. The opposite can be done as well. Let's say you workout everyday and you are only taking in 800 cals. Perhaps you are taking in too little. Add 100 cals until you see wl. Do NOT make huge changes or inconsistent changes. For example, don't go from 1500 to 1000. That alone can put you into a plateau and that's not a fair representation of what your body would do with a calorie reduction. Also, your log is only as reliable as you are consistent. So if you workout every day, keep it up. If your target is 1000 cals than eat as close to that as possible. +- 100 calories can really effect the outcome. Mind you, you will need to readjust everytime something changes (working out more/less for example). I hope this helps [/quote']

Great explanation.

How do you do this? .......... I'm not actually dieting as in forgoing food when I'm still hungry...that's me feeling satisfied after meals.

THATS how you CAN do this. You answered it perfectly!

Once you fine your sweet spot......."not dieting", "feeling satisfied after meals"...sounds like you might be there to me. Congrats!

Had some wine tonight ' date=' white wine so im hoping that is a clear Fluid ...and yes it tasted great , and no issues with sticking ....not sure if I should but didn't see it anywhere in my not to do.... I wanted it so I had some , not going to beat myself up over it , it is what it is <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> peace my fellow banders[/quote']

Me too and it was great. It's been a while. I'm a cheap date now lol

Some time before I was banded I discovered My Plate Calorie Tracker by Livestrong. When filling out your profile' date=' you decide how active you are and how many pounds you want to lose on a weekly basis. With your height and weight, it automatically tells you how many calories you need each day. I track everything I eat and drink, and I can keep track of my Protein intake for the day. If I'm low on protein, I add a Protein shake or a glass of skim milk, depending on my needs. I really believe that keeping recording my food intake has kept my weight going down.[/quote']

Thanks for the advice, I downloaded the app and it is great. I'm already using it. It's going to be a big help!

BellaNana, Sent from my HTCONE using LapBandTalk