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Learning how to properly track what I eat....



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Hello, like you, I have been having a really difficult time losing the weight I wanted after surgery. I had my surgery June 2013, to date I have only lost 45 pounds since surgery but I initially started at 343 pounds. I am now at 264 because I lost 40 pounds preparing for surgery itself. I finally came to the conclusion after reading multiple blogs that I needed to write down everything that went into my mouth just so I could analyze and try to figure out what I was doing wrong. I decided I needed, and had to, carry a note pad that I could use to write things down. My family and coworkers initially thought I was crazy and too consumed with losing the weight but I am determined to do it, after all, isn't that why I had the sleeve done? YES!!!!

I found a site online that I could get nutritional facts about any and all foods (that I have looked up) on it. Starbucks, fast food restaurant's, etc, I am finding out the truth about the foods that I am consuming and realizing that better food choices are a must. Just because something is high in Protein doesn't necessary mean it's good for you. I want to do a 5K walk this summer and progress from there. I also want to feel better and prove to myself that yes I can do this. I hope that I can be an inspiration to help get others in my same boat.

About me, I work as a Registered Nurse full time (3 shifts) a week, mother of 5, graduate school student full time, and help my husbands and son's with their business, trying to get it up and going. Yes, busy to say the least. But I have learned, if you want something bad and long enough, you CAN do it.

Good luck==Tracy

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Tracking my food, then analyzing it was an eye opener for me.

I thought all fruits and veggies were good and would sit down to a bowl full of corn thinking I was doing well, then wondering why I wasn't losing weight.

I have found the right mix of protein/carbs/fat for me right now - It will probably change as my body changes. Right now, I feel good eating what I'm eating now. I tried to go super low carb about a month after surgery and felt really deflated, I had no energy. Once I upped my carbs, I felt so much better. But the carbs I eat now are different - bread is a rare thing for me to eat (I really don't enjoy it any more, so I figure why eat it). I eat fruits and veggies that are low on the glycemic index.

Best of luck to you! I love that you're working towards a 5K - that's one of my goals, too. :-)

I'm just over 9 weeks out - I don't log everything every day, but most days, I track just to keep myself honest.

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Hi Tracy! I came over for a little visit from the Lapband Forums. But we all want the same thing, right?

I'd like to suggest the MyFitnessPal app. You can download it on your phone. You can search every food or even snap a pic of the bar code and it will all show up. Just choose your portion and it puts it all on there for you.

I love it. It really helps me watch my calories. I know the lap band should keep me from eating as much, but if what I'm eating is crap, then I'm not gonna lose weight.

Best wishes to you! Keep at it, you still have a very impressive weight loss.

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I decided I needed, and had to, carry a note pad that I could use to write things down. My family and coworkers initially thought I was crazy and too consumed with losing the weight but I am determined to do it, after all, isn't that why I had the sleeve done? YES!!!!

I found a site online that I could get nutritional facts about any and all foods (that I have looked up) on it.

I hope that I can be an inspiration to help get others in my same boat.

About me, I work as a Registered Nurse full time (3 shifts) a week, mother of 5, graduate school student full time, and help my husbands and son's with their business, trying to get it up and going. Yes, busy to say the least. But I have learned, if you want something bad and long enough, you CAN do it.

Good luck==Tracy

So they thought you were crazy? Fffffpt. Let them think whatever they want. Your dedication to the goal is wonderful to see - yes, an inspiration!

What is the web site you found? (I don't have a smart phone, so I need different resources.)

I'm a registered nurse too! I work in administration - quality, to be specific - so my work is not as physically demanding and my hours are different (8-10 hrs a day, 5 days a week). And I don't have HALF the stuff going on outside work that you do. Wow!, and hats off to you for managing all that and still having the energy to tackle the weight loss journey. You ARE an inspiration!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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