DenverGirl88

Oh man this is where I’m super lazy- I barely measure anything lol. I’ve included what I entered initially into MyFitnessPal although I also add walnuts to it sometimes. It all just gets thrown into a food processor and blended till smooth except for the Lily’s baking chips- I don’t add those till i put the batter into a 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper. I kind of lay them in on top so you can see them baked. Anyhoo, I bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or till a clean toothpick comes out (I live in Denver so the high altitude effects baking times). It can take longer if there is more zucchini than usual. Oh!! The most important part is the zucchini. That I use a box shredder for before adding to the blender BUT it’s super important to squeeze as much liquid out of it as possible. And those puppies hold a ton of liquid. I usually use 3 medium to large zucchinis. Once out of the oven I let them cool and cut into 12 pieces. I then individually wrap them and throw ‘em into a Gallon bag and freeze. Every night I take one out and microwave it for 60 seconds or until steaming and then put that dollop of nut butter on top- it makes it melty. It’s just soooooooo good. I originally adapted this from recipes on Pinterest so check out chickpea zucchini brownies on there for ideas! Then just mess with it till you’re happy 😊 my taste buds don’t need much sugar anymore and I think that’s the part that weirds people out.

I ritually eat a hot homemade chickpea zucchini brownie with A spoonful of nuttzo nut butter (made of like 7 types of nuts/seeds), couple ounces of chicken, roasted fava beans, and flax pita - and yes, all of this at once almost every night. It amounts to 8oz of food - I usually eat this about 8-9pm (dinner is at 6pm). But I’m also in maintenance mode now

I remember that period of time - it definitely messes with your head. That was the time watching tv commercials became enlightening- I was like holyyyyy crap every commercial is for fast food and pizza and sugary cereal, ice cream etc. I was just floored- no wonder America is fat

Yes!! I used to hate the cauliflower craze and now I love it! Go figure- but I think it also helped I got more creative with how I use it (with stronger flavors). I also need very little for something to taste sweet which is nice.

I heard they have great salmon burgers as well - I’ve been wanting to go so following this thread!! Chili lime chicken burgers sound good too yummmm.

At 6 months I was eating about 1000-1200 calories a day I want to say. I’ll be at a year out next month and I’m eating 1500-1600 per my nutritionist. I’d stalled eating 1200-1300 and upping my calories actually got me over plateau since I also exercise 5-6x a week. I do strongly feel that how I’m eating is very sustainable and something I can continue doing for life. I think back on biggest loser when you restrict your calories for too much for too long. I didn’t want to destroy my metabolism so I was happy to up my calories and it worked- still losing.

Woot woot!! Way to go!!!

Thanks! We all look fantastic! - it was the best decision I ever made and I hope you feel that way too some day!! Sometimes things can be tough but it’s so worth it in the end.

Thanks and special shout-out to the squatty potty in the picture ahahahah 😂 love that thing now!!

Oh fun! I’m one year out as of 2/25/21- 5’6” SW: 330 W@S: 235 CW: 155 GW: 145 I’m still trying to lose just a tad and continue to tone up

Yeah I’m trying to figure out when enough is enough but that’s also why I got the InBody scan. You can google locations and it was $25 where I went and you get a data sheet printed out. It said I have 5lbs of excess fat too. The lady that went over my results though said my high muscle mass offsets that. Although what’s funny is I have about 5lbs of excess skin (per my plastic surgery consult) and the gal didn’t know if that counted towards the 5lbs of fat I could lose. I want to be in the 140’s - but I’m already a size 4/6 small so I know I can’t lose much more regardless.

See that’s where it gets confusing- My NUT now has me eating 1500-1600 calories because the scale wouldn’t budge for a couple months. She said because I work out (spinning and strength training) so much that I should increase my calories in order to given my body fuel. She’d recommended I get an InBody scan and I found out I have a higher amount of muscle then average for my height/weight so she based it off that. It’s weird but the thing is IT WORKED. The scale is going down again (well at first it still wasn’t moving). It’s slow movement but it’s consistent again. I’m also mixing up my strength training by seeing a personal trainer once a week which I just started Saturday so I hope that helps too. The calorie count makes me happy because it’s nice to know I don’t have to eat so few calories at least. Anyhoo, good luck - do what works (and is healthy and sustainable) because it gets so tricky now!! For reference I’m 5’6” and now 155lbs.

Following this- I’m having the same problem right now and backtracking on what I’ve changed. Today my abdomen was so painful and distended I couldn’t work out and that makes me super cranky. I did try this new keto cereal called Catalina crunch that I’m in love with but I can’t take the gas and change in BMs. I’ve not had issue with anything I eat since surgery- bah humbug

I love the exuviance line of products for my face/neck.. but I’m only 32... still though I see some excess neck skin. I was even thinking of looking into Kybella but I think that is for fat deposits and wouldn’t help with just skin sagging

I have this exact same problem- I’ve learned that I just truly am hungry and cannot sleep unless I have something in there. I usually have flax pita, yogurt, or chicken on hand to consume on the fly. Lately because I know I’ll be hungry I’ve taken to drinking tea or decaf coffee when I’d normally eat so I can save some calories for later when I’ll need it just before bedtime. My new years resolution is to start drinking tea- also helps to get more liquids in, keeps distracted, etc. still trying to find one I like.

Oooh! I’ve had the foster farms pizza and I can eat a 3rd of it. I really like it but not the sodium content. I get the cheese version and load up on my own toppings like banana peppers, red onion, broccoli, etc. I think that is what made it awesome for me- I love veg on pizza.

I’m stalled too so no worries! I blame the pumpkin pie... lol jk. Even with thanksgiving I haven’t gone up or down at all in quite some time. My NUT said the same thing as well as Lisa’s PA. Just need to stick with healthy eating, exercise, and calorie tracking and it will move eventually I’m sure. I’m 10 pounds to goal also but I’m shooting for 20 more which would put me at 140. Even if I didn’t lose anymore weight I still find the habits and eating style/amount I have now are very sustainable (I treat myself as well) Good luck and just keep going!!

I weigh daily because I just feel like it keeps me accountable even considering the fluctuations. I’d still rather know and have that in the back of my mind. Jury is still out with studies but they say people who weigh daily are more likely to weigh less

Hello all- everybody is just sooooo different it gets confusing what might be right for each of us. I feel almost weird admitting I eat 1200-1400 calories a day depending if I exercise. My carb intake is 60-75 NET grams- usually 25 grams of fiber and 90g of protein. I am currently at 164 pounds when I’d started at 235 in February. I lose about 4 lbs a month now and my nutritionist said it will start to be even less now as I get close to goal (153lbs). More carbs and calories seems to work for me otherwise I’m too faint and weak to operate. I do choose the healthiest carbs possible. I think part of my reasoning is a work out a lot. 5x/week walking, 4x/week spin class and 3-4x/week strength training. I did just have foot surgery today though... can walk for 3+ weeks so I’m going to cut carbs and stay on the low end of calories while I recover.

Yes!!! I’ve been mystified by my inability to workout in the morning post-surgery. It’s like I know I’m strong but my muscles just can’t do anything. They have nothing to give so early and I assume it’s because I don’t have enough calories consumed yet to feed them really. Also I don’t bike outside, I have a peloton and my ass hurt FOREVERRRRR. I bought padded underwear which helped until my bum just got used to the seat. I still often stand up and cycle just to relieve some of the pressure. I tell everyone just to stick through it as your bumbum WILL adjust eventually. The only downside I’d the padded underwear for me was pantylines through my leggings lol

I’ve been trying to figure out why I just have the worst gas lol- it is stinky and I’m going to kill my husband with it one day I think!!! I’m lucky I work from home. I’m the same as cat lady I take a cap of miralax a day in my coffee but I did that even before surgery so it keeps me regular. I still also get dizzy when I stand up to fast - annnd when I work out and do too much with my abdominal it feels like they are splitting around my upper stitch ... so weird. Anyhoo those are nothing too horrible but it’s what I deal with!

Oops *has more to do

I eat carbs in moderation but I’m extremely picky about what I have/how much. It hasn’t affected my weight loss negatively. I love the Joseph’s brand of pita/lavash bread and I’m a big fan of the great low carb bread company. They have high protein/fiber, low net carb bread products like everything bagels, pasta, etc. I eat half a bagel and I’m happy. I also love the Ezekiel brand of English muffins or bread as it is very high quality. I think it has. Ire to do that I can’t eat a lot of it anyways and when I do those are my go to which is so much better for you.

@catwoman7 - THANK YOU! That is me too and I’m trying to figure out why that is because I eat most of my calories or when I’m going to give into my cravings. I don’t know how to break those feelings and habits.

ResaRoo I’m so glad you mention the night hunger! Idk if it’s because I’m so routine all day but I feel like I’m the evening I need something every hour or two once I eat dinner at 5 or 6. But I know before the surgery that was still my worst time for hunger or binge eating. I was tired, bored, my cravings would hit. So that makes me think it’s head hunger but sometimes it isn’t because I can’t go to sleep hungry. Even after drinking water! That is my only issue so far- night hunger. I plan to ask my doctor about that Monday