Hello folks....What tools to you find helpful to you to stay with the program? What I mean is do you have certain items that help you along the way such as:

Bento Box - to help with portion control

Blender Bottle - to help mix your shakes without lumps

food Journal - to help track your Protein, exercise, Water etc.

I started a food journal when I started my preop diet. I would record all the medicine I took, what my blood sugar was and how much insulin I took, how many ounces of liquids and how many grams of protein I had. Some days are better than others with recording, but it did help with taking it to my follow up visits so they can see where maybe I can improve. I spent the last week in the hospital and so I wanted to start back at journaling today, but I only got breakfast and lunch. I'll do better tomarrow. That's all I can do is try. No need to beat yourself up if you slack on recording, just try harder the next day. I swear by the blender bottles. I drink crystal light out of them. I can't since my surgery drink plain water, it just comes back up. Weird I know. But they are awesome to sip out of.

What is a Bento Box?

I got mine on Amazon...it's basically a lunch box or you can get the boxes that go in the lunch box. They are different sizes and each one is used for a different food group. The size for fruit and veggies is bigger, protein medium, cheese or other snack smaller etc. It helps you portion your meals. Great for packing lunch for work.

What a Bento Box looks like.

That looks really cool!!!

I thought so too and I think it helps keep in perspective the amount of food you should have in the right portions. Of course not all of that can be eaten at one sitting but, it can include the Snacks you eat in between the main Protein portion. On Amazon I bought just the insides of the bento box. I already have a thermal lunch tote so thought I'd put the pieces inside.

There are some really cute bentos though. Another great tool is the Blender Bottle. I got those online as well. shake bottle with a wire ball inside that helps break up the Protein powder and keep it stirred up.

Does anyone have any tips for good food tracking apps for the phone? I am still a month to 6 weeks pre-op, but I really want to start getting into the habit now so it won't be so hard after.

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What a Bento Box looks like.

I love it! That is such a good idea!!

My2nd I use Sparkpeople and I have the app on my phone as well. You can create your favorite foods to use each time or use the ones already in the program. It will track the protein for you and you have other choices on what you want it to track.

ONe of the other tools I just bought was a small thermos brand thermos from Amazon so that I can take soups to work. It comes with a cover you use as the bowl and a metal spool that attaches to the cover. It will keep the food inside it hot for 7 hours or cold for 9. Got the idea from a bariatric website.

I use my fitness pal on my iPhone. I love it and it keeps track of food, water and activities. Let's u set playlist of music while giving time and distance

Sorry for the delay in responding, been "unplugged" for a bit. I really appreciate the information!!! I am already putting it to good use. Had my 1st surgeon visit on May 10th...so far I'm down 13 lbs. using high protein/low fat and now tracking. They like 10-20 lb loss pre-op, so I'm on my way. Thanks again all!

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We buy a ton of one cup plastic containers like Glad or Rubbermaid. Then we cook up a big pot of turkey chili, turkey shepherd's pie, etc. Put the meals in the one cup containers and then freeze them. And we have a similar routine with foods that we buy at the store (pre cooked shrimp for example). Break them down into individual servings, vacuum wrap them and then freeze. Makes breakfast, lunch or dinner a snap!!

I bought the most handy little thing. It's a measuring glass. It looks like a big shot glass and it measures ml, oz, tsp and tbs. Total 4 oz. I use it every day for almost every meal and it takes up so much less space than measuring cups and spoons.

Maybe you guys already have one but I absolutely LOVE it.

I have what sounds like the exact same one and could not agree more - LOVE it!!