FluffyChix

I'll play today. Salmon salad with pomegranate seeds and lots o' stuff. I actually had afters.

hehe not to go all gansta on you, but I'd probably be tempted to consider cutting a b***h to get back my original 3lb/week weight loss I had in the Wonder Weeks just after surgery. bahahahaaha!

Not to mention, your popularity rating may have risen even higher than with having a new PS rack! You'd be the hit of any party, tradeshow or sporting event! You could maybe even open a dispensory for things like public transportation!

Talk about a Christmas "mercle"! That's a gift that keeps on giving right there! Can you say Amazon Prime, friends? Course ya can! https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A0619022UK79LFJE6EAH&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWineRack-200-010-Wine-Rack-Large%2Fdp%2FB07228KHS1%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1543608233%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26keywords%3Dwine%2Bbra%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1543608232&id=4371781376257340&widgetName=sp_atf and let's not forget this one... https://www.amazon.com/Clearance-Ruhiku-GW-Printed-Sleeveless/dp/B07C3MZCYJ/ref=sr_1_18_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1543608233&sr=8-18&keywords=wine+bra

Hahaha! We have multiple airlines at IAH. Maybe you could trade Atlanta for IAH for your connections? hehe! Sadly the UA terminal sucked! We only had about 8 seats to choose from down in the baggage claim area and everything else was behind security. So without a tix, we couldn't go anywhere not even for bad airport coffee! But we had a lovely visit and I talked way way too much. She is just a darling (and petite) lady. And such a great hug! Like all my Christmas wishes came true. You know? Her hug was just so open and loving and caring and a million dollar smile! She's a special girl! We are all blessed by her friendship! Ha! And we have ways to get around the IAH lockdown! I could have a wine bra delivered tomorrow! bahahahaha! Two words... Long Straws

Maybe so?! That's just super for you whatever the reason though!!! And yeah, maybe there is something to be said for consistency? And goodness, don't we all want to be able to eat more and still lose/maintain?!! Yeeee-the-frick-ha! Right? I also think maybe you've healed your body a bit with the IF? Made it so that you are more insulin sensitive so you have less of a huge load of insulin dumped on you when you eat with shenanigans intent! I just know I'm so happy for you to be at your goal of 140lbs!!! Wooot!!!!

Sorry hon. I'm not seasoned, just "been around the block" a few times. What is your question?

@sillykitty this could be you! I'd have to smuggle a Mai Tai or a boat drink in for you!

Hey look who I met at the airport yesterday! Guess who it is!!! We had a super awesome quick meet-up like a speed meet-up!

Oh god!!! Fuhgettaboud losin when Mercury is in retrograde! *snort* For sure!

I hate the fluctuation. I seriously could probably gain 10lbs in my lymphedema arm alone. So yeah, salt, travel, and scales when that happens is def not my friend! But in this case, I also claim serious sodium/carb shenanigans that contributed not only to the lymphedema flare up but to total body bloat! And probably a couple of legit pounds of fat too. Although, I am proud to say we walked 2-4 miles daily while we were there!

For sure! So you bloat in your abdomen? Hey! Congrats on the scale BTW! I support that purchase!

Just FYI, the protein in broth is mainly from collagen, a necessary and beneficial amino acid, but a very incomplete protein. And if you depend on it to meet your protein goals, you could quite quickly find yourself in a mess of trouble.

Hey I'm cross-posting this cuz I think it's a direct proof of what happens when this RNYer doesn't hit her protein goals set by her RD to be in accordance with height and lean body mass. "I think we're all different for sure. I started IF again back in September and since that time, deliberately let some days happen where I was super low protein and then lowered my total average weekly protein goal. And I'm seeing the difference and not in a good way. It's not hard for me to reach my totals. It just means I can't do OMAD unless I drink a Protein Drink which I really see no need to do. I will try instead of OMAD to do 20/4 with 2 meals so I get my protein in for the day with only a minimum of Protein Powder." **** I'm still gonna do my IF, and still do some days with 20/4, but I will def make my 70-74g of protein goal set by my RD from the start. It was a prescription she gave me based on my ideal weight and lean body mass.

I think we're all different for sure. I started IF again back in September and since that time, deliberately let some days happen where I was super low protein and then lowered my total average weekly protein goal. And I'm seeing the difference and not in a good way. It's not hard for me to reach my totals. It just means I can't do OMAD unless I drink a protein drink which I really see no need to do. I will try instead of OMAD to do 20/4 with 2 meals so I get my protein in for the day with only a minimum of protein powder.

Just an interesting anecdotal thing...I've been having some issues and having my bloodwork tracked... My protein and albumin are both down in this last couple of months--they are both just barely on the low side of the curve in the "low" area--not anything to seriously worry about, BUT. I reduced my protein from 70g to about 55-60g over that time frame, consisting of dense, lean "complete" protein sources. Since low albumin is "associated" with greater all-cause mortality, I'm gonna be working to up my protein to around 70g/daily again. I just got that result today. So today is Day 1.

For me, there is a balance and what you just expressed was opposite ends of the pole without any balance. Two extremes. My views are mine, and I'm def. not trying to get in a PC argument or push my views on anyone.

Hi and welcome! We each do IF a different way. And any way that works for us...is good. Right? If it were me, most days, I'd try to start whittling down on the additions to the coffee until on IF days I was just doing black coffee. You may not be able to. Some days, I just do'nt want to exist without my 1oz of PP in my coffee. Doc's say to get the best bang for your autophagy buck you need to avoid any source of calories. But that's when you're hard core IFing in my honest opinion. I think 14/10 is a good place to start. Gradually work towards longer fasts if possible? 1000-1100 cals for me is beyond maintenance and into weight gain mode. So for me to lose, I have to be lower on average for the week. I can have some of those days, but then I have to average them with having more 500-600 cal days...

Yep yep yep! Exactly what all of you said! It takes a while to build trust with our old cheating hearts! You know, we weren't successful in the past with either losing down to goal, or maintaining goal. But that's because we had a different set of rules. Our bodies were physically working against us by upping their game with gut hormone regulation. This time around if we do mind our own personal p's and q's, it IS possible to lose to our goal (and beyond), and also maintain longterm. And the surgery is more of a weight maintenance tool. It will still (down the road), try to rewrite the rules of the road by jacking with our gut hormone levels again...BUT if you're really vigilant you CAN maintain. Just look at all of the successful vets out here who live maintenance every live long day. (That gives me big time Billy Bad Ass hope--does it you?) Congrats on your weight loss to date. That's really phenomenal! You'll do it. Just worry about 1 day at a time. And it will all come. You won't believe how far you've come when you reflect at 6 months. Swearsies.

Can i just mention in the interest of keeping perspective. Average weight loss post surgery is 2-4lbs/week with the most coming off (usually) within the first 2 months. Losing 16lbs in 5 weeks is actually smack in the middle of expected rol (rate of loss). 16/5=3.2lbs/week. That's actually quite a lovely rate of loss. Rejoice and be glad people of earth!

Ok, the carnage from Fatsgiving was truly epic. I was up 10lbs from my lowest weight posting in my ticker. Holy fu*k! Right? I am a rationalizer, so I blame it on: 1. Being off my last BP med, a diuretic and having lymphedema and fluid retention from the travel. 2. Having the Fatsgiving carb fest that is my brother's tradition. 3. Eating all the Triscuits in Austin with all the spray can cheese and dry salami in HEB while we were waiting to eat at 10pm that night. 4. Breakfast tacos on Bee Caves. 5. Chili and tamales at the TX Chili Parlor 6. Wine So...thanks to a couple days of IF/OMAD, plus another couple of days with 18/6's I am now only 4lbs up from my ticker weight. Today I'm doing a 16/8 DD (500cals) and I will expect to keep whittling away at the 4lb spread. If all goes according to plan, I will be back at poster weight by Monday. Then I can get on with the business of reaching 2nd Goal with only having a one week scenic detour. Did anyone have an uptick on the Fatsgiving scale this year? How are you doing TCB? Is it coming back off? Are you back at pre-FG weight? Ok, go!

I don't call myself "keto" although I am not only by virtue of low carb dieting, but also cuz of low calorie diet. I'm in dietary ketosis (aka producing ketones and using ketones/fat for fuel). I have issues with the high fat of the current keto model, so I do a more moderate fat diet. My numbers are more: 30% P, 55% F, 15% C (or for 850cals I get: 64g Protein; 52g Fat; 32g Carbs (total, which nets to around 20g from veg etc). It sure works for me. I also IF to further reduce insulin resistance and assist with fat loss and autophagy.

But Kim it can be in some cases...right? Mostly though the RH is from a dumping rx post surgery...yes?

I think the dehydration really jacks with us as @Matt Z said. Also being in deep ketosis from low cals/low carbs can also jack with taste buds in the early days. But it does right itself. Adapt and adjust. Brush your teeth and tongue and drink LOTS of water. If you can figure out a way to handle plain water, all the better! If you don't like the taste of your protein drinks, try diluting them in other liquids of varying temps. Or make slushies or smoothies out of them. Or change up your protein. Or eat savory proteins. You just have to experiments until you find a rotation of things that work enough to "not suck". This isn't a permanent stage and you will soon be able to eat foods and get your protein in from foods.

It's the dreaded 3 week stall and it can last a few days to a few weeks. Double check that your protein drinks aren't hiding sugar and carbs anywhere. You do NOT need to add extra cals at this point. Up your water, move (walk) and stay the course. You'll be fine. I didnt' start really losing until I could start eating food (softs) with some fiber from veggies cuz my body and insulin really hated all the protein shakes and kept my insulin too high.