Dawn’s Question
Hi everybody,
I am also eight months post-op and I agree with Darla. It seems to
me that water is extremely important. Of course eating correctly and
exercising play a vital role. However, when I “up” my water from 64
oz to 80 or 100 oz, the weight loss increases. That should tell us
something shouldn’t it?
As an early pre-op, I had a “problem” with plain water and drank a
lot of Crystal Lite. But as the months progressed, plain-bottled
water has taken its place. I know it seems weird but 80-100 oz of
Crystal Lite did NOT make a difference in my weight loss. But, with
plain-bottled water, SIGNIFICANT weight loss has continued.
I eat 2 times a day and usually I don’t snack. I can eat any food
that I have tried. I know what dumping is - although I don’t TEST
that process too often. I choose not to eat sweets or fats too
often. I also choose not to eat bread, crackers, pasta, chips,
cereals, or sweets of any kind - on a regular basis. (These foods
are so easy to eat. They go down so easily and…….)
Lunch, for me, is a “meal replacement” protein bar (Pure Protein from
GNC). It’s low carbs, gives me 30 grams of protein and is 270
Calories. Dinner is a regular small meal - with about 60% protein, a
little vegetable or fruit, and a bite or two of “other” food. That’s
it! I’d say the total quantity would fit in 3/4 cup. My Calorie
intake is about 700-800 a day.
I try to exercise 7 hours a week at the gym. That’s 5 hours of
cardio/aerobic work and 2 hours with a personal trainer. I am also
diligent about taking all recommended vitamins - daily.
DO I EVER “STRAY” FROM THIS? Sure, I am human. But, I really do
work at following that “program.” I’d say I follow it at about the
90% level. I do NOT see it as a diet - because that has a conotation
of deprivation. I do not deprive myself of eating anything. If I
want a particular food, I eat it. However, I CHOOSE to eat just a
bite or two of it. And, if it is a high Calorie or high fat content
food, I eat it AFTER I have eaten my protein and vegetable at my
evening meal.
I could eat a lot more food and often I am not satiated after
eating. My mind set has moved from testing, “HOW MUCH?” “HOW
SOON?” “HOW OFTEN?” to “How little can I get by with?”
For further comparison, I am 54 years old and 5′6″ tall. I used to
wear size 26 Womens (or 3X) and now I fit into size 14-16 Misses. I
have “zero” co-morbidities at this point, my blood work is perfect,
my blood pressure is fine, and I have lots of energy.
Keep on keeping on,
Susan H
Pre-Op 325 BMI 53
Lap RNY 4/2/01
Today 199 BMI 33
(That’s -126 in 8 months)