What Food Plan Are You Using?

[Lisalu 89]

Hi All,

My Surgery was 20 months ago. I am now about 12 lbs below my original goal of 135 (Ht: 62.5"). I began with my surgeon's plan but found it too restrictive. I then followed the Cornell plan down to goal weight and below. Then I kinda fell off the wagon. Last year I could eat anything and not gain, in fact for a few months, I was trying to put a couple lbs back on. Beginning in August, my weight began to creep back up. I gained about 5 lbs (from 120 to 125). Most of the gain came from 1) being able to eat more and 2) sweets. I've always had a sweet tooth, and sadly the surgery didn't end that. So on Ash Wednesday, I went back on the Cornell Plan which involves 3 high Protein meals, 1 high Protein snack and no sweets. OK, I've been jonesing for the sugar but my weight is coming down.

My question to my fellow maintainers is this: Do you follow a food plan and what does it look like? Do you snack, graze or just eat meals? Carbs? Sweets? How much protein?

Thanks in Advance.

[Dee 39]

I didn't really follow a diet plan per say. I use sparkspeople.com to track my carbs and Protein. I changed it to have more Protein. I have a sweet tooth too. Gave up candy for lent. (just like I did when I was a kid) however I was eating Cookies etc...finally could only get in to one pair of my size 6 jeans, NO WAY am I buying bigger sizes. I used to have a collection and just kept moving up, Gave them all away. I do love this sleeve.I got 7 lbs to lose (hope to lose 10 so I have some room to sway a few lbs) Keep in touch!

Dee

[Lisalu 89]

Thanks Dee, for your response. i too gave up sugary stuff for lent even though I'm no longer a Catholic. Somehow the discipline of lent from youth is still with me; stuff I couldn't give up in January becomes easier to give up beginning Ash Wednesday. Lately I've been reducing the carbs too. This morning my weight was 120.8, Hurray!

I can eat more than I used to be able to, so I think it's important for me to concentrate on Protein and vegetables and to limit carbs. I'm back eating artificial sweeteners and though I don't think they are actually healthy, they are far better than the alternative. Sugar is such a drug for me. The sugar alcohols have side effects which is a good thing for me. I cannot eat a 100gr bar of SF chocolate because of the stomach cramps it causes. This means that my portion sizes are reasonable and not gluttonous--in the end a very good thing indeed.

I think the weight thing will always be a struggle for me, but at least I have a chance of winning this battle now instead of trying my hardest and losing miserably. I feel pretty good of my protein-first diet. My BF and housemate are both on no sugar diets so I don't have loads of temptattion. My boy still eats sugar with abandon, but I can dismiss that more easily. Sugar now seems like pixie sticks or cotton candy--stuff you eat in your youth but wouldn't really ingest during adulthood.

[Lisalu 89]

Yikes, typos, sorry everyone. I can spell, capitalize and punctuate, but I cannot proofread!

[Globetrotter 1,340]

@ Lisalu - could you tell me more about the Cornell plan? I too am 20 months out but unlike you I haven't even hit surgeon's goal yet, let alone personal goal. I'm still 20 lbs away from surgeon's, 45 from personal.

[Lisalu 89]

Hey Globetrotter, nice to hear from you. The Cornell plan looks like this:

3 meals and 1 high Protein snack per day. Protein first, then veggies, then whole grains. Avoid concentrated sweets. Heres a link:

http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Thanx Lisa, I actually found it myself online already and it's what I already do, I am so super frustrated to not be losing weight anymore when I am still chubby and soft yet I work out like a demon and get in no more than 900 cals =(

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I'm on the anything I want plan right now.... leaning toward vegetarian Southbeach. The closer I get to the southbeach, the more control I have over the weight and hunger.

---

Reading this over I realized I DONT eat everything I want without end. But I do eat stuff I crave everyday. If I had no stops on my desire, it would be a whole different story. Give credit where credit is due!

[Tanisha Nolen Sanyang 37]

That's true!

[Freetobethin 0]

I got down to 117, started playing with stupid diets (Nutrition response testing, juice fasts, fasts, etc.) and binged. Gained 17 pounds in November and have lost 11 pounds since 12/01 by following the Dukan Diet! It is similar to the surgeons recommendations. The attack phase (phase 1 out of 4) is 3-10 days long and is unlimited protein! My binges have disappeared. I'm eating a lot of food and I'm satisfied. No cravings at all.