Stress eating and bad food decisions born of poor planning are my biggest challenges, so I've made a meal plan for the week ahead, down to mid-morning and afternoon Snacks (I'm going Hobbit style and referring to the former as Second Breakfast).

I was worrying myself something fierce about the Protein shakes and my complete inability to choke them down, but I'm focusing on just eating healthy for right now and then when liquid diet comes, I'll muscle through. My Mom had the bypass and she assured me that the liquids are such a short phase and will be over before I know it! The Protein Shakes aren't forever, but the healthy eating is, so that's what I'm choosing to devote my energy to.

I've recruited my sister in law to come exercise with me, because she's been wanting to hit the gym and she can come as my guest. And I'll let myself down at the drop of a hat, but I hate letting my sister in law down so it'll keep me on track and going.

Excellent start. Good luck.

I'm also very bad about meal planning. One of my biggest problems pre op was to put it off until I was starving and would make terrible choices. 4 weeks post op I had a 6 week trip overseas so I planned carefully for that by making sure I had plenty of protein powders, Designer Whey 2Go and foils of tuna--especially for the 36 hour transit periods. Now that I am home, I have slipped a little in terms of planning because I don't worry about healthy options being hard to find. For example I was caught short the other day while running errands. I just stopped by the supermarket deli and got 2 shaved slices of Cajun turkey. I'm so excited that it is so easy to "scrounge" when I mess up occasionally!

I used google calendar and put everything i planned for the week and reminders to cook certain foods the night before and what have you.