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

Struggling with eating when busy



Recommended Posts

So I'm out a little over 18 months, though virtually all of my ~100 lbs lost was done in the first 6ish months, so I've been on maintenance a while. I've been doing really well and my weight has been +/- 3 lbs the entire time.

I just started a new job and I've been really busy. My problem right now is that I'm not feeling hungry so I don't eat and I'm running around so it feels like when I do eat I'm competing with whether to eat or drink, this has me down to 3 meals a day (from ~6) and my calorie intake is half what it should be for the past 2 weeks. I'm starting to lose weight and generally feel like crap. I've tried adding in some higher calorie stuff (pastry, sausage, cheese, nuts), but just don't have enough time to eat. I likely need to do some kind of schedule, but my struggle is what can I eat that's < 4 oz, but will get me ~500 calories per meal? Any suggestions on easy nutritionally dense Snacks so I can have fewer bigger meals with this new schedule? Other folks have this issue when they get busy?

For some reason if I don't eat or drink for a few hours its like my stomach clenches as well and my capacity is greatly reduced, for example I didn't have dinner until after 8 tonight and even eating 2 eggs was a no-go with pain like I over-ate, so that's also causing some issues.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So, is the issue that you are not getting enough nutrition, or your not getting enough calories for fitness purposes? They really are 2 different ideas.

If its about general nutrition, then you have got to supplement somehow. An extra Protein Shake, a Quest bar. Something you can keep with you and eat on the fly.

If its about competition nutrition, you might want to consider mass gainers. Yes...i know...talking about a mass gainer in a bariatric forum is like talking about the bible in a brothel (not something that is easily done, but could produce some great results).

Im curious what your overall goal is here.

Nurse Mike

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply. Nutrition I'm hitting my Macros and in good shape. My issue is just that I'm losing weight, not trying to bulk up for competition or something like that.. but losing 5 lbs just because I'm busy, even when not doing a ton of physical activity. This is a problem because when I drop too much I look sick and feel sick... High class problem I know, but still a problem.

I have since done more Protein Bars, which are easy to have on my, calorie dense and decent nutritionally. I've been doing more peanuts and Peanut Butter too. That has helped the last couple of weeks, plus having pre-cooked stuff I can just grab (cheese, sausages, chicken, etc). With those changes I'm maintaining

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How is the job and nutrition going? Nuts, Jerky or cheese may be options before pastry

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Up and down. Job is great, but I had a super busy week a couple weeks ago and lost 8 lbs... so still working on balance. The good news is I had been on vacation prior and gained a few lbs over a couple weeks so the swing wasn't crazy and I'm not too badly below my target zone. I've stocked my office with nuts etc and that definitely helps

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad to learn you are finding methods that work for you. Has the work pace slowed or come more predictable? Maintenance for me has been a dance - and harder than the rapid loss period.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 8/16/2019 at 7:34 AM, Stella S said:

Glad to learn you are finding methods that work for you. Has the work pace slowed or come more predictable? Maintenance for me has been a dance - and harder than the rapid loss period.

It's gotten more busy, but that's expected. Still struggling and may end up dropping down like 10 lbs and seeing if that is easier to maintain... I suspect that I'm going to have to monitor my weight closely (both up and down) forever. Maybe the appetite suppressing effects will lessen after a couple years

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×