Question:
Am I reverting BACK to my old eating habits

Hi Everyone: I am 11 mos post op and down #136, but I am having quilty feelings about most anything I eat and feel like I am going back to my old eating habits..I use fitday.com to track my calories, proteins and everything and am doing pretty good there. I have only hit about 1200 calories a couple of times but usually stay around 900-1000 with pretty close to 60-70 gms of protein a day. But EVERYTIME that I stick something in my mouth, I am obsessed with the protein counts and everything else. Some days I can't get enough sugar and carbs and blow out alot of my calories with about 3-4 cookies....Am I BACKSLIDING or is this just NORMAL????? I feel so out of control because I am not eating the 400-500 calories that I did a few months ago....Is this all NORMAL????    — Joi G. (posted on July 28, 2002)

July 28, 2002
Somedays I feel like eating a few cookies and/or candy bars and I do. When I crave them, I eat them. Then go back into eating proper. There is nothing wrong with having a few "less than ideal" foods. Just make sure MOST of your foods are good ones. ;) I think you are doing fine with your calories and proteins. Just don't let those tempting carbohydrates get away from you. But don't beat yourself up when you have some once in awhile ether.
   — Danmark

July 28, 2002
Joi, I am 10 months and 130 lbs. out, and I aim use Nutrawatch (similar to Fitday) -- I don't obsess, but I do use it to track my calories and protein, just to make sure I'm getting enough. My nutritionist told me a couple of months ago to start working up to about 1400 calories a day. I haven't hit that yet, but I have often hit 1300...and eventually I'm going to start aiming for 1500 to 1800, when it's time to start maintaining my weight. As for the cookies -- I've been integrating small and controlled amounts of sweets into my diet since about December. Again, my nutritionist assured me that this was fine -- that in fact I *should* be eating treats from time to time, to avoid feeling deprived, which can make people just go overboard from time to time. The other night I went to Dairy Queen with my son and husband, and I had about 2/3 of a small cone (felt too full to eat the whole thing) -- it was damn good, too! A nice thing about eating treats in moderation is that you *enjoy* them so much more! Anyway, I'd say you shouldn't worry too much. Keep things in perspective -- in the past, would you have been able to stop at 3-4 cookies? Good luck!
   — Karen I.

July 28, 2002
Joi, quit obsessing over everything you put in your mouth. And get rid of the guilt. Your calorie count is good, and so is your protein. You are supposed to increase your calorie intake over time and you are. As for cookies, that is normal. Moderation is the key. You should be able to eat like normal weighted people, and guess what, they eat cookies and ice cream too.
   — Cindy R.

July 28, 2002
Hi Joi! My doc told us not to worry about calories, but to eat at least 60 grams of protein, other posts have said to lose more weight to eat more protein and LOADS of water (which I have a real hard time getting in). I am 18 mos. post op and down 114 and I would lose more if I'd exercise :-( and I am now starting to really crave sweets and want to eat all the time too. Good luck!!!
   — Betty Todd

July 28, 2002
Well, consider, if we were to continue to eat those small, small amounts upon which we lost so much weight, we would eventually just...disappear? :) As your need to lose weight tapers off, you HAVE to modify the way you eat so that when you're done losing you'll be able to maintain a normal weight. THAT'S the long term goal. It's hard to have a really good feel for what "normal" eating is, but "normal" people can eat a cookie or two....maybe even three or four. But, they DON'T eat 19 of them! :) I think as long as you're losing weight like you need to & getting all the nutrition you need, you probably don't need to be concerned about your diet. I found that at right about 1 year post op, I was able to eat a lot more things, my weight loss was close to done & I began to adopt a more, normal, maintenence-like diet. I am over 2 years out, at goal weight & I pretty much eat whatever I want. I take my vites, watch my protein amounts & have my labs done when they're due. I'm doing great & feeling great. Good luck to you!
   — Kathy W.

Click Here to Return