TakingABreak

Follow up from this... @Creekimp13 I do feel like I snack a lot to get that many calories in throughout the day. Not that I'm necessarily trying to, but I have two solid snacks during the day. 7:45am- Breakfast 10:00am- Snack 12:30pm- Lunch 3:00pm- Snack 5:30-6:00pm- Dinner 8:00pm- Snack negotiable.... I think if I cut out the snacks, there's no way that I would be getting in that many calories. I wouldn't be able to eat that much in one sitting for them to reach 1000-1200. So I guess my question, and maybe for Matt Z too, is do you guys snack? Or do you just eat more calorie rich foods to hit those numbers?

I noticed my hunger subsided substantially when my calories went up. And it hasn't affected my loss, that I know of. I've slowed here recently, but not in that first 5 months. I was right at 1000 calories near the 8 week mark, I'd say. I don't force myself to hit that mark everyday, but I don't stress about calories unless I'm getting close to that 1200 mark. I feel satisfied and good with the amount that I eat. I don't have too many cravings either.

I do this as well. I test myself to see if it's real hunger or head hunger. If it's real hunger, that 1/2 oz of almonds (or in my case a tuna foil packet) will seal the deal, if I'm hungry again in 30 mins, then I know that its head hunger.

I think the reason that "head hunger" has a bad connotation is because it leads to eating bad foods due to nature of its existence. I don't care for people who say they have hunger, and excuse the fact that it could be head hunger. Head hunger is real, just as real as regular hunger. I always challenge the OP to really pay attention to when they are hungry. Is this triggered by a commercial on TV, a stressful moment, or a smell from your neighbors BBQ. This article has a good comparison chart. https://primesurgicare.com/head-hunger-vs-belly-hunger-difference/

I’m probably the far extreme, but I took 6 weeks. Glad I did too, my energy levels were no where near where they needed to be to go back. It’s not all about pain or physical recovery. Mentally, I was drained from a lack of calories. I took naps a lot and didn’t start feeling better until soft foods. I started working out at 4 weeks, but crashed everyday after my workout. Six week mark, I felt much more normal. It was a blessing to go back to work on a normal diet. Also, i didn’t have to navigate the food progression stages while working.

Hopefully the OP is taking vitamins. I stared as soon as I left the hospital. I didn’t know that people waited to start?

I felt this way until the 4 week mark. Once I was on soft foods and could incorporate more calories, then I felt better. I was even able to start working out. It takes time for your body to adjust. Hang in there, your energy will return. Hopefully like me, ten fold!

It’s so true. There is always someone to relate.

Glad you are here as well! You will have advice to share soon enough!

I’m sorry if we didn’t connect on the same level today and my advice didn’t resonate. I do have a lot to say and consider myself to be a work in progress. I’m a type 1 diabetic, PCOS, suffer from diabetic neuropathy, anular tear on my L4/L5, PTSD, anxiety...lots of obstacles in my way, but I’m doing it just like everyone else. I’m just lucky enough to have access to resources and learned a thing or two through trial and error. There’s no such thing as luck on this journey. It’s about will power, willingness to change, and absorption of knowledge and putting that knowledge to good use. I do wish you the best of luck. I think your commitment to the process is commendable. You had the bravery to admit you made bad choices, and I think you will learn from those as well. That said, good night.

That’s a great idea to do it in your shake! I use it to make veggie dip. Sometimes you’ve just got to get creative!

There are some people who report taste change or lack of desire from a lot of things they enjoyed pre op. It’s possible that you may enjoy it again, never lose hope on a food.

Listen, I’m done. You don’t seem to care for my advice. I don’t spend time talking to people to sit around and have pity parties or offer unsound advice. I genuinely cared about your problem, and can relate to your disease. I even was PM a friend on here about sending you testing supplies, I care. I didn’t ever ridicule or beat you up. I just pointed out the flaws to your method. I didn’t attack your character, or even question your commitment to the process. No one is ever going to be on the exact same page. Some people, you can never offer the right advice.

The difference is that you made a post about *hunger* and chose to say that those were your food choices.

There were a couple posts made referring to a treatment center. I have been to NUTS when I qualified for health care. The last one I went to was in 2015 when I first considered this surgery. I also saw one through the program I went on following in 2015. We do not have stand alone food therapists here unless connected with a treatment center. It may be something I can look into again when I am employed Again, I wasn’t the person who suggested a spa treatment center. Even if you had the money, I’d say it’s not necessary. I’m dismayed to hear that there isn’t therapists or NUTs offered in your area. I would take advantage of any literature for nutrition or diabetes you can get your hands on.

I was “going on” about the crap you ate because you were saying you were hungry, and that was the list of items you chose to share that you ate that day..... I don’t think I ever accused you of buying junk food or eating fast food. I even explained why I thought those were bad choices, based upon your grievances with hunger. I answered based upon  the info you provided. I read every word. You are choosing to assume that I’m not taking things in the right context. I’m pointing out the most important parts of your story. 

I feel for your situation but I don’t think you need a spa treatment center. I think a regular therapist or NUT could do wonders. I never suggested a treatment center.

What about agave, it’s a natural sweetener. I don’t use a lot but it helps in tea. Or I’ve heard of Swerve Sweetner.

Yes correct, but it can also happen from emotions or stress. I posted this link that had a chart (earlier in this post) it gives the run down, and it’s a lot more complex than I would have thought before.

No not you specifically, I’m saying in general. More directed towards the OP who started the thread. But you mentioned you were scared to post, or didn’t like the answers...I was being general.

Love the idea to use a Yetti cup! I hate when my smoothie starts to melt, yuck!

Oh and, I tried keeping left overs but it didn’t pan out well. So I just ended up perfecting the amount to come out to approx 16 oz, give or take 1-2 oz.

I drink 16 oz smoothie every morning. I could drink more but it’s a slider food and it just increases my calories. I know I don’t need more than that and so I measure and limit myself to that amount.

Women don’t post in the gals room, hardly ever. Maybe if it’s about periods or vaginas, but it’s rare. And even sometimes they just say, “men beware” or “TMI”. Especially rare considering the high percentage of women that are members. So no, I don’t think women would care if a man posted in their designated room.

You are sooo right about fruit. The first thing I do when I stall is cut fruit. So many carbs and excess sugar.