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How Closely Do You Stick to the Program?



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I'm about 4 months out and down 70 lbs. I find that, at this point, I *must* stick to the program to see a loss. What about you?

How long ago was your surgery?

How closely do you stick to the food/exercise plan you were given?

Are you losing well?

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To the letter....... ;)

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I eat clean 90% of the time & workout most days of the week- I do much more than my surgeon has ever required of me. It's how I live best/feel best.

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I have found that 'sticking to the program' has simply become my lifestyle now. And it's really about the choices I make about eating and exercising. However, I'm conscious that I have deviated from 'the path' pre-surgery and gained back the weight I had lost and more.

I'm trying to find that balance with food, exercise, satiety, happiness, and all that good stuff. ;)

Edited by AlwaysVegas

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I stick to mine VERY strictly and my loss is sloooooow. I'd be terrified to find out what would happen if I went off plan. Probably would GAIN weight!

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Of course I'm a newbie...only 5 weeks out, but I've found if I try anything not on the list, I feel sick. It's too sweet or just doens't sit well. I tried a strawberry shake Friday night....had been looking so forward to a treat....took 2 sips and gave it to my husband. Just couldn't do it. I know this won't stay this way.....but sure is good incentive at the moment to stay focused! :)

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@@mnmlst

I am 9 month's out from surgery. I follow my eating plan that has been modified by my surgeon. I exercise more than what is required . My weight loss has not moved in months. Not keeping up on my plan I believe would send me into weight gain mode

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I stick to my program and have from day 1. I exercise more than required but I feel better when I work out so I work out 5 -6 days a week for at least an hour.

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I do mostly follow plan. I also track and measure every bite of food I eat, and exercise hard several days a week.

Places I've varied from my nut's suggestions have been fairly small and infrequent. I've had some sweets, an adult beverage, and some bread/crackers--but they're rare treats and I make sure they fit into a day that is still around 900-1000 net calories.

I'm still losing, although it has slowed a little. If I saw gains, I'd go back to the more extreme plan.

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5beautifuldays - how well did you do with your "adult beverage"? I'm terrified to even try it due to the horror stories the therapist told me presurgery! I'm headed this weekend to Chicago with a friend and the hotel has free drinks. Do I dare even attempt one?

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Most definitely, almost to the extreme! I eat very low carb and even higher Protein than the plan recommends. No soda, no caffeine, no sugar, no breads, etc. I really don't feel as though I am missing anything.

I've done really well so far. This is my 8th month since surgery and at my weigh-in on 3/14 ( I only weigh in once a month) I should be down close to 145 lbs. I couldn't be happier. I exercise about 5 times a week as well. My biggest problem at this point is not getting enough calories. Who knew this would ever be a problem!

Best of luck!!

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From the responses so far, it appears that those who adhere very closely to their plan have been extremely successful.

Okay, here's my recipe for getting to goal weight....

  • Start every morning with a Protein shake
  • 70+ grams of Protein every day
  • 64+ ounces of Fluid every day
  • Non-starchy vegetables as fullness allows
  • Eat protein first, veggies second, and if you really need it, fruit last
  • Don't drink anything for 45 minutes before or after meals
  • Only protein-based Snacks (nuts, cheese, yogurt, Jerky, meat leftovers)
  • Completely avoid starches, sweets, and booze
  • Very limited fruits, and no fruit juices
  • Walk 30+ minutes every day
  • Try to have a plan in place for every situation
  • When you will be in an unknown situation, bring fluids and protein with you
  • Jerky can be purchased almost anywhere, and a 3.5 oz bag is a meal
  • At restaurants:
  • Do not have bread, dessert, or booze
  • Order a meat dish
  • Substitute a 2nd veggie for the starch
  • Calories and fat don't matter
  • Carbs and sugar do
  • Establishing repeatable routines makes it easier
  • Guys lose weight faster; it's not fair, but it's true

I followed my plan pretty closely and it got me to goal, even with lots of social occasions and restaurant dining. Now to see if (with a few modifications) it will work in maintenance, and how sustainable it is for the long haul...

Edited by Rogofulm

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5beautifuldays - how well did you do with your "adult beverage"? I'm terrified to even try it due to the horror stories the therapist told me presurgery! I'm headed this weekend to Chicago with a friend and the hotel has free drinks. Do I dare even attempt one?

I had a single glass of plum wine (it was iced, and not much wine--Mickey Mouse is stingy with the liquor!) with some teriyaki salmon. I did break the no eating/drinking together rule for this, because I feared alcohol on an empty stomach more than distention. I felt it, but not more than usual. It *was* out of my system really fast, though.

I won't make a habit of drinking, for sure (I did feel a little bloated after), but it wasn't a bad experience.

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I'm about 4 months out and down 70 lbs. I find that, at this point, I *must* stick to the program to see a loss. What about you?

How long ago was your surgery?

How closely do you stick to the food/exercise plan you were given?

Are you losing well?

I had surgery Dec. 16th.

I follow my surgeons plan to the letter.

I am losing at the rate my body wants to lose at (1-2lbs/every 2 weeks).

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I'm very strict and follow my plan exactly. I track everything I eat. I avoid carbs, sugar, caffeine. I weigh my food. I'm 5 months out and down 82 lbs!

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      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. 💗

    • 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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