I just need someone to tell me that once I get to the green zone..and just with the band in general, that it's not a diet.. I am so tired of struggling with diets, counting calories, trying to follow certain meal plans, etc.

I want the stress and the struggle to be done!

I just want to be able to eat less and be active and lose the weight, then maintain it

I found that when I don't log my fat brain kicks in (I'm still fat!!) and I eat far in excess of my calorie goal of 1,000 per day. So for that reason I only lose when I log to keep myself honest.

That being said I'm hoping eating less will become second nature and I won't have to log. Or if I make it to goal I can just log if I start to gain.

Would be interested to hear from those at goal on which strategy they use... Log or no Log??

Edited July 28, 201511 yr by briefs199

I go back and forth with logging my food. I did weight watchers for so long and tracked those points ! I will say that when I do keep track I am more aware of what my day is looking like food wise. I am a year out from surgery and still have much to learn. I am working towards it becoming second nature to me but boy old habits die hard.

@@briefs199 I definitely feel once you find your green zone that the diet mentality slowly dissipates. With that said I think how you maintain that weight loss is a very personal choice. For me I have to log my food and I'm two years post op but I don't have the I'm on a diet perspective I have the perspective that this is what I have to do to keep my self honest and mindful of my choices for life long success. Will this one day become a thing of the past? Who knows only time will tell but for now logging food is no biggie for me it brings me comfort it's all about what works for you as an individual. Don't be afraid to try different ways of doing things until you find what works best for you. You'll get there and things will definitely become easier once you find that sweet spot. Good luck to you on your journey!

When I got to the Green Zone, a few things started to happen...

First, my hunger, cravings, tastes, and interest in food altogether changed...

Second, I discovered that there are certain foods that did not go easy with my band..so I started to avoid them until I now stay away from them altogether,,,just so happens, most of them are high in carbs anyway.

Third, my portions became very small...very small!....Some people call it getting full faster, or satiety...whatever, I simply could not and still cannot over eat.

So saying all that, since the above was taking place, I concentrated on what I could eat. Concentrated on High Protein, high nutritious foods ...since I eat so little at a given meal, I'll not blow it on junk...like the rule says, do the protein first. Then go for the extras, if you're able.

Call it a diet if you like, but I call it a new lifestyle. I eat wholesome, nutritious foods...nothing processed, etc.

I compare notes with friends who are into it also and did not have WLS....

I should add, when I reached the Green Zone, say 4 months after surgery....things really turned upside down! It was not easy, and I was tempted to get Fluid taken out of my band thinking I went too far.

It took a full 12 months until things began to smooth out and get easy, as I continued to learn new things about eating.

And today, (I still study new foods) it is 2nd nature, no calorie counting, etc.....

I just eat less (a lot less) and eat good....protein, Water and exercise.

And with all that, I am not afraid to have Desserts, etc from time to time....enjoy myself and life's little pleasures....

But all this did take time....I read posts here every day from people banded a few weeks to a few months wanting results!

This is a lifetime change...have to think about the big picture.

Remember...The band is adjustable ...Get It Adjusted!!!

I read posts where people are struggling, and I want to shout..."What about The Band" Is the band doing anything???? Because they sure talk like it is not even there.

Every one is different, of course, but sometimes I think every day is different, too. I have a lot of variation. Some days I'm really not hungry at all until evening, while other days hunger arrives at 11:30 or so (that's about the earliest for me -- I do not eat breakfast because I am not hungry in the mornings). I try to listen to my hunger and respond to it appropriately (good food, protein). I have to resist old wiring in my head that tells me to hold off or restrict myself in some way. All those years of dieting! I have not logged in a long time and that might be helpful to me for a little while, but I know I won't be a regular My Fitness Pal person again. I just want to "be" -- be normal, I guess. Normal weight, normal relationship with food. We all have to do whatever we need to do to achieve our goals. Best wishes to you -- it is so much easier in the zone and you are getting there!