Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hey!

So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or Protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget.

I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't.

Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping.

I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life.

I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat.

I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed Snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein.

I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know.

If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.

IMG_7410.thumb.JPG.4be4752661181886cc1730b5914788c5.JPG IMG_0310.thumb.JPG.b4ee4afa977b003c247fa42d2ee85428.JPG

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amazing job!! I was sleeved in March 2017, after 11 weeks I am down 105 lbs, combination of workout and keeping portions at 4 oz. as well we counting macros. When did you have surgery? And if you don't mind sharing about loose skin.. I am actually doing weight training to prevent that. Would like to know if you ran in to that issue. Feel free to msg, and great transformation


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You look great! I pray to God I get to the point where I can comfortably and freely eat without having to think about it so much. Right now its soooo hard because I have to think so hard about what to eat every time I get hungry. I am going to continue to be hard on myself until I get to my goal weight.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey!
So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or Protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget.
I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't.
Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping.
I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life.
I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. [emoji4] Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat.
I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed Snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein.
I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know.
If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
IMG_7410.thumb.JPG.4be4752661181886cc1730b5914788c5.JPG IMG_0310.thumb.JPG.b4ee4afa977b003c247fa42d2ee85428.JPG

You had dumping with sleeve surgery?


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dumping can happen with the sleeve and if it's what I had last week I never want it again.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I have dumping but my surgery was more complicated than most. It's rare to have it with the sleeve. I get it and it sucks so bad. But it's getting better.

I've been eating Intuitively for about a year now with some small relapses back into dieting and that mindset but not for more than a day or so.

The last 3 months I've REALLY let go and stopped weighing myself EVER, stopped even considering what I eat. I eat so much, always listening to my body and it's cravings. I eat all kinds of foods from fresh to processed and savory to sweet. I eat carbs all the time. I love Desserts. I drink alcohol. I enjoy whatever I want. I've not been actively dieting for a year at least but now I've really, really let go of the fear and I'm continuing to make progress. I don't worry about wether I'm eating too much, grazing, eating something fattening. I have really just LET GO.

I eat when I'm hungry and when I'm full I stop. Honestly I just don't even think about it. I follow my bodies cravings.

I have gained no weight. I'm exactly the same. If anything, I've lost. I don't know. I don't care. I don't weigh myself. BUT my clothes all still fit perfectly. But who cares anyway.

My life is finally where I want it to be and I am free.

I will never ever go back to dieting. I truly believe Intuitive Eating will keep me healthy for the rest of my life.

Picture of me and my daughter a few days ago.

IMG_8132.thumb.JPG.48c61757a21ed43ddb00c6493073c34a.JPG

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I seriously doubt this would work for everyone. If I ate anything I wanted whenever I wanted it I would weigh more than I did before I got WLS.

i don't consider choosing healthy foods and portions dieting. It is a lifestyle and is simply how eat now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 5/29/2017 at 8:03 AM, bellabloom said:

I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING.

This is what my docs office goes by. Eat when hungry only. We don't count calories, macros, Protein, carbs. We make the conscious decision to choose the right foods and stop when content. I'm so with you. Wls is for a lifestyle, not another diet for me. The last thing I wanted to have to do is count anything after wls, what's the point? I could have done all of that before wls and obviously I wasn't successful as I have tried many times. Like you, I don't want to have be centered around food as I was before either. I need freedom and I will stay in it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@bellabloom -- if this approach to living is working for you, then that's fantastic. The issue is that for probably 90% of the people posting on this forum, that won't work. It is more or less how they have always lived their life and ended up morbidly obese for it. The problem is, people will read what you write, take it to heart, and then watch everything fall apart. It is like the people that talk about needing carbs for intense exercise. That's true, but what happens on the days that the exercise, for one reason or another, doesn't happen, and you eat the carbs anyway? Pretty soon, you're just eating a bunch of carbs again like you did before and the weight starts coming on.

To each his own. Anyone who engages with this forum often knows the beliefs of certain people because they say the same thing all the time. (I count myself in that camp. People who have read my posts know exactly what I have done to be successful.) The problem is that people read and hear what they want to read and hear.

I remember an old Roseanne episode where Dan and Roseanne were trying to lose weight. Some of her co-workers commented that if she would just walk every morning, she could eat anything that she wants. All she heard was "eat anything that she wants." The walks happened for about a week, then they stopped, but the "eat anything that she wants" never did...

Edited by blizair09
typo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

This is what my docs office goes by. Eat when hungry only. We don't count calories, macros, Protein, carbs. We make the conscious decision to choose the right foods and stop when content. I'm so with you. Wls is for a lifestyle, not another diet for me. The last thing I wanted to have to do is count anything after wls, what's the point? I could have done all of that before wls and obviously I wasn't successful as I have tried many times. Like you, I don't want to have be centered around food as I was before either. I need freedom and I will stay in it.

I would say if you are making a conscious decision to eat healthy or choose the right foods then you are not exactly eating in the way the op was explaining intuitive eating to be.

to be honest I know nothing about intuitive eating. I haven't researched it or really heard of this style before. However, the way the op explained it just seems like a recipe for disaster for many of the people here working on food addiction.

If it works well for some people then that is great. I definitely don't think one plan fits all.

But I don't think if you monitor your macros or portions you are being excessive or remaining on a diet. I think it helps me to remain aware so that i don't mindlessly over eat or choose the wrong foods. I don't feel like this is a diet. I am treating this as a lifestyle change.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Intuitive eating IS mindful eating. Geneen Roth is a proponent of this style and she has workshops for disordered eating. She conquered disordered eating herself.

The OP is trying to eat normal. Normal people don't endlessly think about food. They eat when hungry, stop when full, and go on about their day forgetting about food. It's when you give up the anxiety about food because you no longer USE food the same way that you did, when you used it to fulfill an unmet need, quell anxiety/grief rejection, worthiness love hate fear etc. It just becomes food, you learn to trust yourself.

I am working on this prior to surgery.

Edited by Sosewsue61

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am surprised reading the many comments in direct conflict with this post. It is my experience it is what we should all be working towards. Eating "what your want, when you want" does not mean binge without consequence, rather it means listening to your body and trust it to tell you what you need or want when and how much. Our bodies have amazing and complex feedback loops, but all of us spent years ignoring them and eating for emotional reasons, not physical ones. Relearning to listen and to trust your feedback loops is the ideal state of being. A constant diet mentality with or without surgery is not healthy or ideal, and statistically speaking won't work. I also realize learning to listen to your feedback loops and not your emotions is a difficult transition that should not be attempted when in the weight loss phase, but to maintain that phase I think it is essential.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am surprised reading the many comments in direct conflict with this post. It is my experience it is what we should all be working towards. Eating "what your want, when you want" does not mean binge without consequence, rather it means listening to your body and trust it to tell you what you need or want when and how much. Our bodies have amazing and complex feedback loops, but all of us spent years ignoring them and eating for emotional reasons, not physical ones. Relearning to listen and to trust your feedback loops is the ideal state of being. A constant diet mentality with or without surgery is not healthy or ideal, and statistically speaking won't work. I also realize learning to listen to your feedback loops and not your emotions is a difficult transition that should not be attempted when in the weight loss phase, but to maintain that phase I think it is essential.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am surprised reading the many comments in direct conflict with this post. It is my experience it is what we should all be working towards. Eating "what your want, when you want" does not mean binge without consequence, rather it means listening to your body and trust it to tell you what you need or want when and how much. Our bodies have amazing and complex feedback loops, but all of us spent years ignoring them and eating for emotional reasons, not physical ones. Relearning to listen and to trust your feedback loops is the ideal state of being. A constant diet mentality with or without surgery is not healthy or ideal, and statistically speaking won't work. I also realize learning to listen to your feedback loops and not your emotions is a difficult transition that should not be attempted when in the weight loss phase, but to maintain that phase I think it is essential.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×