NMJG

Oh, y'all are just too funny. I'm laughing out loud in my office. Hey Carolina Girl, you can post over here, you're pretty cool, don't just lurk

Try to stick with the "protein first" rule, it really does help because it fills you up so you are much less interested in bad stuff. For snacks, make a deal with yourself to eat some deli meat or a hard boiled egg first. I bet by the time you finish it you won't have room for the junk. Also, come here for support. This group is great at helping everyone stay on track. That said, it's a lifelong battle for many of us. I battle it every day.

Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein usually do the trick for jeans. Wear them with heels, that will help with shorter legs. Do you have a hairstyle that takes off 20 lbs.?

You have plenty of carbs in that diet, but they are healthy carbs: beans and yogurt have carbs - look them up. It looks like you are prohibited from refined carbs, which many of us are. I think you are tired and cranky because you are 7 weeks out, dear, but it does get better and you will be able to add in more foods as you go along. Are you getting in all your protein and liquids? Talk to your nut about what other healthy carbs you can add in. Best wishes to you.

Count me in. In fact, I just discovered a few days ago that my denial was creeping up on me again, even logging everything in MFP. I ran the monthly report on calories and discovered that I ate over my 800 calories 8 times in the last 30 days. That's almost a quarter of the time. And here I thought I was doing so well. No wonder I'm only losing 2 lbs. a week. Sleevette helped me in that I wasn't able to eat even 1000 calories on those days, but those days wouldn't have happened if I hadn't convinced myself that a little bit of wine before bed was OK or some other stupid self justification. I will fight this forever and I'm so grateful I have Sleevette to help me, but she can't do it alone.

I recommend lots of dogs and cats laying on you. Good heaters

OP, you do as you see fit and I hope it works for you, but it does disturb me to see you encouraging others to go off plan to make you feel justified. Why do you think the national average weight lost for the sleeve is 60% of excess weight instead of 90 or 100%? I'm no rebel. I'm a sleeve goody two shoes and I'm proud of it. I follow the rules as best I can, regret my slip ups, and try to get back on track as soon as possible. My doctor and nutritionist know a heck of a lot more than I do about this and would never encourage me to eat candy or junk food, regardless of the amount. If they did, I would find another clinic, because that is just common sense. Sure, I make mistakes, but at least I know they are mistakes and try to do better in the future. I ask for help when I know I'm going to have problems, because I will struggle with food my whole life, sleeve or no sleeve. Shoot, if my opinion about diet is so great and I think I know more than doctors do, why did I end up with nearly 100 lbs. to lose? Ask yourself this question, what answer do you get?

I had a bit of cooked spinach and was OK around 4 weeks. Just try a few bites and see how it goes (don't go crazy). You can always have more next time. Maybe blend it up with some greek yogurt or fat free ricotta or low fat cheese to make it creamed? Blending it first may help, too.

Everyone has an opinion on this topic, just do a search on caffeine Here is my summary for what it is worth: Many avoid caffeine but a number don't People who avoid caffeine generally do so because their doctor or nut said no Caffeine dehydrates you (already a risk with the sleeve, especially early on) Caffeine can stimulate appetite coffee in general stimulates acid, already a problem for sleevers People do ignore their doctor's advice (or their doctor did not prohibit it) and keep their coffee habit Many on here believe that our doctor knows best and we trusted them to remove 85% of our stomach so why question something as small as a caffeine restriction Many others on here routinely do not follow their plan It's up to you to decide, but I encourage you to stick to your doctor's plan Good luck however you decide. PS I generally avoid caffeine now, however, once in a blue moon I'll have real coffee and what a kick since I'm not used to it any more.

It’s here already, the grocery store aisles filled with a dozen kinds of cookie mixes and holiday breads, candy canes and chocolate santas, fruit cakes and eggnog, chocolate oranges and marzipan, hot mulled wine, catalogs filled with gourmet baskets and all sorts of treats. Help! I don’t want to eat this stuff. I’ve had 52 holiday seasons to stuff my face, it’s OK to miss this one. Please give me some support to get through this difficult time without giving in to my food addiction. I’m afraid if I start I won’t stop. Thank you friends!

I din't like sweet things much early on, but now at 3 months it's back The Queen Anne cherries lurking in the store aisle are going to be the death of me. On a positive note, I just discovered Good Earth Sweet & Spicy herbal tea (decaf) - it's delish and very winter-cozy. It's on sale at costco right now 3 boxes for $6.99.

This is a good idea. I will try it on Thxgiving and see how it goes. Since I'll plan to eat my turkey first, there isn't too much danger from OD'ing on pumpkin pie. I decided that this year we will go out - no leftovers! That will make it easier, too.

double tickers! wow, how'd we do that? ALEX!!!!!!

Look at you and hubby! Y'all look great! Congrats...you look so happy, and you should

I eat tofu, no problems, and I like soynuts too. I don't eat soy only, though, I have fat free ricotta, kefir, almonds and walnuts ( only 1 oz per serving). I also eat a lot more fish now than ever before. I also have hemp protein powder to switch it up from whey. I eat beans 4 times a week. My nut told me to count the net carbs (total carbs minus fiber), which makes beans a great source of protein.

I've been buying cheaper bras at Ross and other discount stores. Will go back to my pricey brands after I stop losing.

You are really awesome, GG

There was a bunch of spam on the forum last night. I tried to report it but the button didn't work.

My clinic has all of us sleevers on 80 g protein, 60 max carbs (no more than 20 at a time) and 30 fat. Not saying this is the best combo for everyone, but it works pretty well.

I use it in soups, stew, chili, cassoulet, and of course chicken salad.

That's an awesome story. Creepy, but awesome. Reminds me of the time I bleached my hair blonde for 3 months. People treated me so differently. Men went out of their way to help me and women were rude LOL. And I couldn't get a job (my field then was technology). I colored my hair red and got a job within a week.

I love quinoa, farro, and all sorts of grains, but I too have set them aside for now. Can't get them in, the protein fills me up. Hope to find a place for them in my diet again after I reach goal.

Since your wife cares so much perhaps she would benefit from learning about your special needs with the sleeve. Maybe get the Big Sleeve Book, as well as specific nutrition info from your doctor and nutritionist for her to read up on. Most nutritionists will give you some guidelines, such as how many grams of protein, grams of carbohydrates, grams of fat, etc. to have with the sleeve. And of course, remember your rules: protein first, veg next, complex carbs third, and get in at least 64 oz of water. Don't sacrifice protein for veg. We sleevers don't eat a "balanced" diet like normal people, we have special requirements. One day you'll get it all in, but not early on. Good luck!

Yum, raw meat! NOT!

Oh, that's so sad. I feel for you and your mom. {hugs}