I finally get it; I have to live without carbs.

[Cindy Martin 77]

I love my sleeve, (Peanut). He treats me awesome. A great helper is he. Carbs on the other hand, are my worst enemy, at least anything except green veggie carbs. I love the fact I have lost 95#s. I'm ecstatic my health has improved to the point I feel 10 years younger, and I'm not exaggerating. I started incorporating carbs back into my life about 2 months ago, as recommended by my physician. Healthy carbs of course, but still carbs. I have struggled ever since. I don't know why my body reacts to carbohydrates the way they do, but the impact is horrific. I am definitely not one of those lucky people who can eat what they want and walk away. I won't bore you with all the details of the last 2 months, but I will tell you I have had to come to grips with the fact I need to say goodbye forever, to carbs. I will continue to eat strawberries, no more than 3 at a time. All the green veggies I want, and that's it. I know this will put my weight loss back on track, just really sad it has to be this way in my life. I honestly felt once my diabetes went into remission my body would not crave them as much. WRONG!!!

I would love to hear how carbs effect others on here. Please chime in. I want to start a group called "Living without carbs, Whaahahah!" lol Think anyone would join me?

[1SuperBonBon 221]

Count me in!

I have been on the no carb ride for 11 months now. Not because of the sleeve, but because I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. NO GLUTEN I mourned for about 3 months. It definitely felt like one of my best friends died. I love baked goods, Pasta, bread, you name it. I was a carb junky No more. It all makes me incredibly sick.

[back2barb78 890]

Cindy, I really don't mean to pry, but you would most definitely not be boring me with more details.

[PdxMan 4,292]

We all definitely have our own paths to lead and we each need to find what works for us. I think we each need to find the lifestyle which we feel we can maintain not for just a few months, but for the long haul. If that, for you, means eliminating carbs (non-veggie), then I am happy you have found what works for you.

Myself, no way. I do love the occasional cracker with cheese ... can't pass up a small piece of pumpkin bread, either. But, I try to balance this with some exercise or other clean living.

Cindy, I see you are crossing into the 6 month post op category. Do you feel you need to eliminate carbs because the rate of loss is slowing or are there other indications for which you feel you need to eliminate them? 'Cause, you know, even with perfect adherence, your rate of loss is going to slow ... right?

Like Back2Barb asks ... if it isn't too personal, many other sleevers may benefit from your struggles and issues with carbs.

Edited October 17, 2013 by PdxMan

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Eliminate is such a strong statement. I lost about 125# and realized that to get to goal I would need to be be carb conscious. After reaching goal I can h a 've more and you do need some for energy. I can't workout hard on too low carbohydrate.

So I am insulin. Resistant and just eat in a way that controls cravings. So some carbs in greek yogurt and berries is great, chips and bread not so much.

[gamergirl 4,610]

How many gms can you eat without it slowing you down?

[Cindy Martin 77]

When I eat more than about 20-25 carbs a day I crave food for hours. To be completely honest it is like a drug effect on me. I realize we have "head-hunger", I'm not disputing that. However, I know the difference. For the past month I have been experimenting trying to figure out if it's carb sensitivity or head hunger. The end results showed me when I do very low carb for 3-4 days I don't think about food all day. I can see chips, donuts, candy, and any kind of goodie and pass it up without difficulty. Now, when I start eating more carbs, like a half banana in my shake in the morning. I do fine the first hour, then start craving. I will have a whole wheat slice of bread at lunch, ok little more cravings. dinner, I will have a SF pudding, or 1/4 baked potato. OMG! out of control again. During low carb days I lose excess Water, and inches. I feel great. Higher carb days, like today, feel like crap. All I can think about is more food. I ate carbs all day and just felt out of control. This was a controlled experiment, so I could really tell the difference, even though it was amateur, it showed me how my body reacts.

Tomorrow morning is a new day, low carb lifestyle day.

[gamergirl 4,610]

When I eat more than about 20-25 carbs a day I crave food for hours. To be completely honest it is like a drug effect on me. I realize we have "head-hunger"' date=' I'm not disputing that. However, I know the difference. For the past month I have been experimenting trying to figure out if it's carb sensitivity or head hunger. The end results showed me when I do very low carb for 3-4 days I don't think about food all day. I can see chips, donuts, candy, and any kind of goodie and pass it up without difficulty. Now, when I start eating more carbs, like a half banana in my shake in the morning. I do fine the first hour, then start craving. I will have a whole wheat slice of bread at lunch, ok little more cravings. dinner, I will have a SF pudding, or 1/4 baked potato. OMG! out of control again. During low carb days I lose excess Water, and inches. I feel great. Higher carb days, like today, feel like crap. All I can think about is more food. I ate carbs all day and just felt out of control. This was a controlled experiment, so I could really tell the difference, even though it was amateur, it showed me how my body reacts. Tomorrow morning is a new day, low carb lifestyle day.[/quote']

I can so relate to this from my pres leece days. I'm early out and can just get Protein in right now so no carbs for me to speak of, but even then I go over 20. I'm closer to 40 so 20 seems awfully low. But I was definitely definitely triggered for more food by eating carby things before the surgery. So I think if you've experimented and know what works did you, more power to you! We have different body chemistries and mental triggers. Finding our individual ones seems like more than half the battle.

[keglenne 23]

Everyone's explanation of what carbs can do is so correct. I have been dealing with the carb thing for years. Im about three weeks out. I love my sleeve. I have tried meximelt from taco bell. It was good. Went down really well. But i felt really full. It was the doughy soft tortilla. I will probably have to eat little to none carbs for the rest of my life also. My nut told me that carbs are like crack cocaine and she said it just like that. You eat them and soon as your body breaks them down into sugar. You are hungry again and craving more and more. She said this is why you want to do Protein first then your veggies carbs last. After filling up on your protein and veggies you really wont have alot of room for your carbs. Well she is correct. I really appreciate this forum because you guys keep me in check. Thanks alot

[Kay__S 33]

Cindy, I love the frankness of your post. I think that one personality trait we all probably share is the ability to live pretty comfortably in denial of things that are right in front of our faces. We find ways to think around our food choices until we get what we want. So stating outright that carb are a goner is a big, big deal for one of us. And your declaration helps make us all stronger!

[Kay__S 33]

Cindy, I love the frankness of your post. I think that one personality trait we all probably share is the ability to live pretty comfortably in denial of things that are right in front of our faces. We find ways to think around our food choices until we get what we want. So stating outright that carb are a goner is a big, big deal for one of us. And your declaration helps make us all stronger!

[Michellemo 161]

I eat very few carbs. Some days I probably don't have any. Some days I eat a few more. I find the more carbs I eat the more cravings I have so why bother?

[gettinMeBack 380]

I need to accept the fact that I cant continue to lose weight and still eat carbs. Smh but the things I want are things I shudnt be eating anyway. chips, cake, sweets smh I need to back away from all of that competely

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[Cindy Martin 77]

I agree that everyone is different; you have to decide what is best for your body. Nut's and physicians have such a varied opinion of what we should eat it is so confusing. I believe everyone needs to find out what works for them and stick to it. I've read and heard NUT say you have to have carbs, and then I hear and read what keglenne said about carbs are cocaine, which I agree with completely on that one. I just know I can't live with them and lose weight.

BTW: I have been in a stall for 7 weeks since I added carbs back in my life. That's proof enough for me. Anyhow, I will see in couple weeks how much I lose.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Cindy Martin

[Chellemetime 299]

I also have to limit my carbs. If I have carbs other than veggies I don't lose weight. I just have 14 pounds to get to goal and it's taking forever because I LOVE potatoes and must stay away from them to get to goal. I'm just going to have to buckle down and stay away.

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