I got sleeve done was because I couldn't stay on a diet. I have been dieting all my life and gaining and losing because I give up and then gain then I start a diet again.

I didn't want to keep on dieting so I got the sleeve done thinking the first two months I have to be super careful: liquid stage, soft food stage, slowly introducing solids etc and then once that's over and my tummy is strong to take I stop. By stop I don't mean I let go completely, I still avoid carbonated drinks etc etc but can eat what other ppl around me are eating be it healthy: salad, chicken with vegges etc or unhealthy: pizza burger etc. but obviously not like how I used to but in v small quantities.

Isn't that the point to be able to eat whatever but in less amounts and try to eat healthy but not allllwaaayysss eating healthy like maybe once a week or something I can go unhealthy?

I'm just confused cuz now I have been reading so much and this forum and I read ppl feel guilty about indulging even a little bit.

Help.

Nice thread

The one word I kept reading is DIET. There is something I once heard that I can't forget. The T in diet stands for TEMPORARY. Don't consider yourself on a diet. It's a change in your life. I always told myself that if I was ever given the gift of this surgery I WOULD NEVER GO BACK!! It's got such a psychological aspect to it. All the people that are supporting me - I refuse to let them down. If that means redefining what I consider my "NORMAL" foods to eat - then I guess that's how it's going to be. I am a pretty strong headed person so I have that going for me as well. I would just hate to see us all go through this then fall off.

It seems that to some "normal" equals french fries, fast foods, breads and sweets. Why these trigger/unhealthy foods are considered normal should be the question! When I think of what I consider normal eating habits, I think of the majority of my friends and family who tend to eat pretty darn healthy. It was me who was eating the most indulgent foods at a restaurant, it was me that had the largest pile of food on my plate, it was me who never refused dessert, it was me who everybody always said "made enough for an army" (think dinner parties or potluck scenario). I was the abnormal one.

I agree about being careful what we consider "normal", that is why I consider it a "New Normal", I fully intend to follow the Protein first rule, and to stay away from simple carbs, etc. But I do not plan on being on a diet, because that has negative connotations for me. I guess I prefer the term eating healthy, staying away from processed foods ( as soon as I can, all these Protein shakes and SF foods are the epitomy of processed food, :-D), using my sleeve to help me keep portions within my surgeons guidelines and work on my head hunger issues.

That will be my New Normal.

Edited June 23, 201412 yr by SnohoGal98296

I'm 9 months out and in my goal range, (under 149 pounds) and still losing about a pound per week. I wear a fitness watch that does heart rate and record my intake and exercise in MFP so I know what's going in and what I'm burning on a daily basis. I choose Protein first almost always, but work in a small treat almost daily, whether that be protein'd "ice cream" or a handful of dark chocolate almonds. Occasionally, the treat is complete crap like part of a desert at a restaurant or a glass of wine.

I do focused exercise 5 days per week (stationary bike at 4:30 every work day) burning about 600 calories a pop so that I can maintain this kind of flexibility in my diet. Exercise was not a part of my life pre-op, but it is how I choose to maintain balance now. I love the fact that I never have to feel deprived or like I'm on a diet. At this point, I'm trying to slow down the weight loss and figure out what maintenance looks like, but it's still coming off which freaks me out a little. I'm eating about 1200 calories per day. At 148, I'm definitely not "too skinny" yet, but I'm 5'6 and already in an easy 6 and I don't need to get too much smaller. I have faith that my body will level out where it's supposed to be.

Many folks choose to maintain their loss by giving up trigger foods. I know that can work because I did it form the pre-op diet. The longer you go without, the less you want the junk. For me, I prefer to exercise. If you're hitting your protein and supplement totals, IMHO, the rest is calories in vs calories burned. You just need to figure out what works for you and commit to a lifestyle that works.

Right now, 7 weeks out I am focusing on Protein 1st. I am getting tired of telling people..."i cant have that". I need to change my attitude to I dont want that.