Taking advantage of the first year

[VeeAurora 54]

I see a lot of people say here that their nr1 advice for people getting WLS is to take advantage of the “honeymoon period”, whether that be 3, 6 or 12 months. I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to do that?

Does “taking advantage”, basically mean be very careful about what you eat? Tracking and such?

[Colchabay 46]

To me it means take advantage of no food cravings and not being hungry. Don't "try" things that are not good for you. Take this time to change your relationship with food. Learn about logging food, weighing and measuring. Find healthy Snacks that you like. But I'm only 8 weeks out.

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[Briswife15 889]

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[GreenTealael 24,905]

For me it meant forming much better general food habits & i learned those take some time to put into practice long term.

Now somethings are automated for me. I can walk into a market and not be confused by what I can purchase, swap ingredients in meals like a pro, avoid traps (because they exist) order off any menu, indulge in brief flashes and then return to the program, eat on the road/abroad, etc.

That was my first year advantage taking/leg up experience. It will vary.

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

2 hours ago, VeeAurora said:

I see a lot of people say here that their nr1 advice for people getting WLS is to take advantage of the “honeymoon period”, whether that be 3, 6 or 12 months. I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to do that?

Does “taking advantage”, basically mean be very careful about what you eat? Tracking and such?

To me it means your golden year is your best time frame for weight loss. Weight loss surgery restriction is fantastic in your first months. Your surgery restriction will become less over time and weight loss slows down.

“Taking advantage” means don’t waste this time frame. Follow your surgeons’ plan/instructions. Log your food, hit your calories and macro goals for the day, hydrate, exercise/activity and make behavior changes for the long term.

We cannot control the “luck factor” Sex, age, medical issues, medications, complications, hormones and body physiology. What you can control is “working your plan” Decide how lax or strict you want to work this. Decide what you want out of your first year.

[GradyCat 3,692]

I worry about the supposed six month "honeymoon" period because I've been at a stall during all of Month 4, which means I'll have lost/wasted a month.

[LaLaDee 519]

All good advice here. To me, taking advantage means putting yourself 100% in. Taking that walk even though you’re tired, meal prepping even though eating the same meal for days can be boring, restricting carbs, maximizing Protein, following the rules about Water. Going to all your appointments and support group. Tracking every bite. I would make your heathy your absolute number 1 priority. This all means you will achieve the best and fastest weight loss that your body is capable of. Also, the point about forming healthy habits is very important. After nearly two years, I don’t always feel like a WLS patient. Things are back to normal, and it’s easier to slide back into bad habits. So yeah, take advantage of the honeymoon! For me, it was about a year.

[ms.sss 14,782]

Stick to your diet plan. Exercise. Drink your Water. Take your Vitamins. Get some sleep. DON'T CHEAT.

Losing weight will never be as easy as it is the first few months, do what you can to lose as much as you can during this time. It will only get harder later.