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(CONTINUED...) 2008 I entered the local weight loss competition. I ordered Nutrisystem, worked out up to 2 hrs a day, and gave up soda and alcohol. After three months, I lost 50 lbs and won the competition. On top of winning tons of prizes, I lost 12 inches just around my waist! In 3 months, I went from a size 24 to 14/16. 250 to 200 lbs. Posters were made, the company sent out community flyers with photos of my before and after. And after all of this, after over 90 days of complete clean eating and exercise-mania.. I was STILL starving. Why was I STILL craving food? It wasn't like I didn't like to exercise. It also wasn't like I didn't like healthy food. I just wanted tons. I didn't just want one bowl of salad or veggies, I want three bowls. I was able to be thinner for about 2 months before everyone around me started noticing that I was getting fat again. Now, not only was I getting back to fat, EVERYONE in my community knew it. They had all seen the sucess flyer of thin me just recently. By the end of 2008, I was back to 250 lbs but in complete denial about it. Beginning of 2009 I gave up. I decided I was sick of it all and wasn't going to be miserable with food. By Spring I was 270 lbs. I had stopped working out completely because my knees and back hurt so bad. I looked at my daughter and thought I had to do something. I decided to go vegetarian because I had wanted to for a while and wasn't ever into meat anyway. I subscribed to eating clean. I told myself that despite always being hungry, I was only gonna eat healthy stuff. Mini diets followed since but I never really lost much this year because I didn't work out. My body is physically tapped by the end of the day just chasing after and taking care of my toddler. Last month I realized my neighbors (who all know each other) were talking about me- the hermit, who stays inside all day & night with her kid, eating. I weigh more than all of the men on the street now. My poor husband. I feel bad that I must embarass him. I went to my endocrinologist who told me the only long lasting weight loss solution was bariatric surgery. He thought I'd be a good candidate and that but for that- there's no way to "turn off" that hunger switch that always seems to be on in my head. An acquaintance also told me that she was getting Gastric Bypass. I realized I was jealous a bit. I wanted to change my life. I don't want to miss out on "life" and I don't want my daughter and husband to either. I went to a cardiologist and my digestive drs to see if I would even be a candidate and both agreed. It's time for an intervention. I'm borderline diabetes and my quality of life is definitely suffering. I called in mid September to two local drs to see about getting a consult and both require attending their seminars. This unfortunately caused me to have to wait three weeks for the next dates to come up. My insurance does not cover WLS so I will be a self pay. I had this convoluded idea (dream) that this would all happen super quick and I would be on my way to a new life. For the past three weeks all I can think about is getting surgery. I've researched, gotten mentally prepared, and studied aftercare information. Sites like this one has furthered my excitement and eagerness. I don't want to waste another day! So that is my story so far. I'm hoping I will be able to have surgery before the end of this year. The lap band seems to be the route for me as my drs have said GB is out of the question (due to my vitamin deficiencies already) and I plan to have at least one more child. I feel sort of bad like I bashed on my Mom on here. It's not that she's not fantastic and wasn't VERY involved in all of my activities.. she was at everything! It just seems like even today, all she wants to do is stay home and eat (which is consequently what I want to do too.) I notice even today how her awful eating habits have influenced me. It's NOT her fault but I see where I went wrong early. Had I had a different exposure to food early on it may have made a difference.. or perhaps not. Either way I wouldn't trade my life or my mother for anything! I just don't want my daughter to learn bad habits and behaviors like this from me. I want to change the pattern for our family and be a role model of healthy living. Thanks for reading all of this (or skimming ) I appreciate the support and advice here! everleigh Highest weight ever / Current / Goal 280 / 270 / 150 5'5 10/04/2009

I am not vegan but mostly vegetarian. I do eat dairy & eggs & beans & lentils. I make sure to have a couple of protein shakes daily. That's worked for me. I also eat fish & other meats occasionally. Good luck!

Dear Dicev Thanks for your well-informed reply. Yes, i must focus on the downsides of both procedures. I too am afraid of the dumping syndrome etc of the R en Y procedure - and as i am a vegetarian an afraid of not being able to get in enough protein with the intestinal bypass. How long since you had your operation? Any problems with your gall bladder as this seems to be a common side-effect?

Dear Plumpy Pad, So things are going really well. I am actually drinking the amounts of water you're supposed to drink on a daily basis, and I feel like my body is happy with that! I used to only drink when I was thirsty, and then I was drinking mainly diet soda. I have a feeling I was never really hydrated, seeing as I only peed like once a day... MAYBE twice on a rare occasion. The other thing I've realized is that it is actually simple to be a vegetarian. When I think back on all the times I tried to be a vegetarian in the past and failed because it was "too hard" I want to slap myself! The vegetarian part is simple... It's the vegan part that is going to be tricky! I have yet to find real vegan cheese, because the soy cheese they sell at the store has niacin (which is apparently milk protein) in it. I am going to have to make decisions soon as to what foods I will accept as vegan, because it seems niacin is in EVERYTHING! The other thing I am super excited about is my detoxification fast I am going to begin this Wednesday. I will start the fast with 3 full days of only eating raw fruits and vege's along with fresh pressed juices (I borrowed mom's juicer!). Then on Saturday I begin the water fast, where I will consume nothing but water for 10 full days. This is supposed to give my body a rest from digesting foods so it can focus on digesting damaged, diseased, or extra cells... The super cool part of this is that the final day of the water fast is on December 31st! This means I begin the new year fresh... LITERALLY! After the 10 day water fast is complete, I'll do 3 days of juice fasting followed by 3 days of raw foods and juice to get my stomach used to food again. I am very excited, because I am doing it for the right reasons... The weight loss will just be an extra bonus!! Anyways... I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I'm vegetarian. My doc told me he'd only had 2 vegetarians prior to me and "one didn't lose very much weight." Whatever. You can totally do it. I'd been completely veggie for 15 years when I got banded. At my doc's encouragement, I tried to eat fish for a while once I got banded. I ate it maybe 10 times. I'll still try a bite or two -- I even cooked some last week -- but I'm just a pure vegetarian at heart. To answer your question, I eat a lot of (1) cottage cheese, (2) TVP (nutri system makes a fabulous veggie sloppy joe that you can order a la carte and works wonders for travel), (3) LF cheese (I eat at least 2 babybels a day), (4) soy chips, (5) greek yogurt. I have no probs getting in 50 g of Protein a day, which is what I need for my height/target weight. As for ameno acids, I have no idea! I'm probably seriously deficient.

:whoo:Hi Everyone, Has anyone that is a vegetarian had the surgery? My surgery is a week away and the nutritionists at my doctors office is less than educated about it. I know more than she does. Just curious what you ate during each phase that went down ok. Thanks Barb:clap2:

Everyone raves about MyFitnessPal. I've been using Lose It! for a few years now, so I won't be switching. But the main thing is to really take a look at your input (calories, Protein, Vitamins, and minerals) and output (exercise, other activity) to see where there is room for improvement -- or a complete overhaul! For me, nutrition was a huge obstacle. I was a very unhealthy sort of vegetarian -- a pastatarian. Trading some simple carbohydrates for greens and adding more fruits, veggies, and legumes to my Pasta when I do have it made a huge difference for me. After dinner walks are nice, too! Evaluate, make some changes, and then go from there. One step at a time.

Their customer service and delivery were outstanding. I have tried several of the Protein bars. There were none that I didn't like, but my favorites were Rocky Road, the chocolate Graham, and the Lemon Bar. The Soups were just OK, but I used them up. I would take the broccoli Soup and put some steamed broccoli in it. I have some of the Vegetarian Joe and the chicken Noodle Mixes which I have not tried yet. My boyfriend will be on a business trip for three days, so I will try those later this week. My favorite beverage mix was the Cranberry Grape which I put in sugar free cranberry juice instead of Water. I have found that Protein Drink mixes dissolve better in lukewarm liquid. and then I strain that and either warm it up hotter or put ice in it. The Ranch chips, pizza Chips, and cheese Nips were good enough to pass for a snack. I bought a bunch to have on hand for trips out and about. I also tried a dark chocolate cinnamon crunchy snack that I thought was good. I overbought on protein drink mixes from unjury, Syntrax, and Isopure, so I have not tried any BC drink mixes. So yeah, I would buy their stuff again. As a matter of fact, I am building an order today which will include trying the various Cookies. Given the amazing variety that Bariatric Choice has, I am sure that you will find something you like.

Do you eat chicken? Is being a vegetarian simply deciding not to eat red meat?

Decision made 4 days ago after months of going back and fourth. My husband is excited and can't wait for me to feel better. My surgery is schd for April 2012. Any Vitamins, shake brands, or tips are welcomed. I am 30yrs, 5 feet tall and weigh 260pound (rolly polly)... Any vegetarians out there? What do we eat? I've been meat free for 7months. Good luck to all!!

I'm coming up on 2 yes and I have totally fell off. I haven't gained anything but I have only lose inches no weight. As of last month, I'm now a vegetarian. I can't find the energy to workout early in the mornings and tired at night. Protein intake is better as a vegetarian than before but still lack the will to eat anything. Can someone help me out with this, please. ????????????

Oh yeah. I had minor issues prior to surgery, especially when pregnant. I would stick to Lactaid and I'd be fine. Post op all milk is a no-no. I've said sad farewells to soft cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc. I can handle VERY small amounts of say, light cream in my coffee, or eat one cheese ravioli. Anything else makes me sick. I can eat hard cheeses but unfortunately cannot find vegetarian versions of them here in Bishkek so that does me no good! I drink a lactose free Protein shake and so long as I mix it with soy milk or coffee I'm fine. I think Tiffy had an issue, too. Basically find ways to work around it. It's hard but you can do it, especially stateside with lots of options like soy yogurt, coconut milk, coconut ice cream, Tofutti products! I have to make my own soy milk here (I actually like it better than the packaged stuff but it's not fortified) and my own tofu, but other than that I'm on a pretty limited diet out here in the wilderness. You are not alone! ~Cheri Edited to add: I can use goat milk in cooking, though, and I make a mean chevre from it, so try that if you're really hankering for cheese. Goat milk still has lactose but something about the amount of fat makes it easier to digest. I still have to stick to small portions to avoid issues but it's something!

..you need to try and relax through it all, although i understand how nervous it makes you feel. AS long as you stick to the rules, small mouthfuls, chew, chew, chew, and wait between mouthfuls, you will be o.k. Im certainly not stressing about what i can eat. i have whatever i want, within reason of course. I dont have fatty foods though, but everything else, apart from bread, im eating. I cant eat much of anything so the weight is coming off. You need to be able to do the same, so try and adopt a little of every healthy food, and do the right thing. the band wont bite you. lol. its a wonderful tool. I know now when ive had enough. Even if its just two mouthfuls, my neck gets the ''shoulder pain'' and i know to stop. it seems as if now its going to be that way with me. Im trying out smoked cod at the moment. i cooked some last night. i could only eat a very small amount. the same this morning, i had two mouthfuls and had to leave it. Im going back to have another couple of mouthfuls shortly. AS im a week today post 1st fill, im not sure if my restriction with meats is related to the fill or not. it doesnt matter. im getting plenty of nourishment, im losing weight and im not hungry. What happens, happens, as far as im concerned. if it means i cant eat meat or fish i go vegetarian. YOu need to just let these days and weeks be stress free, and eat as you have learned. Good luck. i know its a biggie for you, but its not too big, neither is it too hard.

I have been researching for a while about taking this tool (sleeve) to another level by incorporating a positive lifestyle change due to the fact that I rarely eat meats or consume any animal products. I will be talking to my dietician about this next month but wanted to get a head start on any suggestions from this wonderful and helpful community. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I found this interesting and thought I would share, it was from Yahoo Health: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/weight-loss/best-weight-loss-diets By U.S. News Staff Tue, Jun 07, 2011 The best diet to lose weight on is Weight Watchers, according to weight-loss experts who rated the diets below for U.S. News. The Jenny Craig diet program and the Raw food Diet come in close behind. Some other diets outperform these for fast weight loss, but long-term weight loss is more important for your health. #1. Weight Watchers Diet (3.8 out of 5.0) This popular points-counting diet helps dieters drop pounds—and keep them off. In experts' ratings, Weight Watchers bested all other ranked diets for both short-term and long-term weight loss. But that doesn't guarantee it will work for everyone. Its average rating of "moderately effective" for long-term weight loss reflects the difficulty dieters have staying on the wagon, even when using the best weight-loss diet available. #2. (tie) Jenny Craig Diet (3.5 out of 5.0) As a weight-loss diet, Jenny Craig outranked nearly all of its competitors. Experts appreciated, among other aspects of the program, the value of the emotional support provided by its weekly one-on-one counseling sessions. A few experts, however, questioned whether dieters can expect to keep the weight off once they're weaned from the diet's prepackaged, portion-controlled foods. Though not factored into its ranking, Jenny Craig's cost is relatively high. #2. (tie) Raw Food Diet (3.5 out of 5.0) The raw food diet can deliver both short- and long-term weight loss, experts concluded, since raw foodists typically eat fewer calories than other people. But the restrictive and labor-intensive diet certainly isn't for everyone. #4. Volumetrics Diet (3.4 out of 5.0) Volumetrics helps dieters drop pounds—and keep them off. It scored well in both the short- and long-term weight loss categories, comparable to or better than many other diets. Because it focuses on satiety, or the satisfied feeling that you’ve had enough, it’s “more likely to be successful” than other diets. #5. (tie) Slim-Fast Diet (3.3 out of 5.0) Slim-Fast claims dieters will drop one to two pounds a week. Experts awarded the program relatively high scores for short-term and long-term weight loss, indicating their optimism the pounds will stay off, too. #5. (tie) Vegan Diet (3.3 out of 5.0) Going vegan gives you good odds of losing weight and keeping it off, according to experts. Veganism is also an effective weight-control method. But vegans must be “very committed,” as one expert put it, because forgoing all animal products can be challenging. #7. Atkins Diet (3.2 out of 5.0) In keeping with its emphasis on helping dieters shed pounds fast, the Atkins program rated well for short-term weight loss but was judged by experts as less impressive over the long haul. On balance, it came out slightly ahead of the middle of the pack. #8. (tie) DASH Diet (3.1 out of 5.0) With an emphasis on healthful, filling foods that don’t pack lots of calories, the government-developed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) drew reasonably good ratings from experts, despite not having been designed as a weight-loss diet. They judged it to be about as good for short-term weight loss as for long-term weight loss. #8. (tie) Eco-Atkins Diet (3.1 out of 5.0) Experts regarded Eco-Atkins as much more effective for short-term weight loss than for long-term weight loss. It “may be difficult to consistently adhere to,” one expert said, because it is largely a “do-it-yourself diet.” #8. (tie) Mayo Clinic Diet (3.1 out of 5.0) Among weight-loss plans, the Mayo Clinic Diet tied with DASH and Eco-Atkins. While needed evidence is lacking, experts' ratings reflect their believe that Mayo, if followed, could deliver modest weight loss, both short- and long-term. #11. (tie) Mediterranean Diet (3.0 out of 5.0) As a weight-loss plan, the Mediterranean diet didn't overwhelm the experts, but it’s not built to be one. It is up to the individual to keep watch over the scale. #11. (tie) Ornish Diet (3.0 out of 5.0) Experts deemed the Ornish Spectrum plan to be OK, but not great, for people searching specifically for a weight-loss diet. Its greatest strengths lie elsewhere. #11 (tie) South Beach Diet (3.0 out of 5.0) South Beach helps dieters drop pounds—fast. But our experts felt it’s less likely that they’ll actually keep the weight off long-term. We found little research indicating that the diet is sustainable or that it helps dieters maintain weight loss over the long haul. #11. (tie) TLC Diet (3.0 out of 5.0) Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) isn't designed to be a weight-loss diet. But if sensibly followed, it can produce weight loss, experts said, because it's a fundamentally sound approach to eating. One plus: It requires no extreme measures such as shunning carbs or meat. #15. Vegetarian Diet (2.9 out of 5.0) For weight loss, the vegetarian diet is slower off the starting line than most alternatives. But it gains back some ground over the long haul, beating out about half the field on long-term weight loss. Although vegetarianism isn’t designed to be a weight-loss plan, building in a calorie restriction and filling the menu with healthful foods could help dieters shed some pounds. #16. (tie) Medifast Diet (2.7 out of 5.0) Medifast landed near the bottom of the pack for overall weight loss. While dieters will likely drop pounds quickly on Medifast, most experts felt they’d regain the weight. The diet's relatively low ratings for long-term weight loss pulled it down in the ranking. #16. (tie) Nutrisystem Diet (2.7 out of 5.0) Nutrisystem also earned better ratings for short-term weight loss than for long-term weight loss. Experts were doubtful dieters could keep off the weight once they graduate from prepackaged meals and transition to cooking on their own again. #18. Zone Diet (2.6 out of 5.0) Experts weren’t convinced that the Zone diet helps keep weight off over the short or long term. While it “provides a dose of dietary discipline,” one said, portions are small, and the diet requires a lot of work, which can make adhering to it difficult. #19. Glycemic-Index Diet (2.5 out of 5.0) The glycemic-index diet doesn’t have much potential as a weight-loss diet, according to experts. It premise of favoring "good" carbs over "bad" hasn’t been scientifically validated, and dieters won’t have enough guidance to drop the pounds and keep them off, they concluded. #20. Paleo Diet (1.9 out of 5.0) If weight loss is the goal, the Paleo diet will likely disappoint, in the judgment of our panel of experts. While they gave it slightly higher scores for short-term weight loss than for long-term, on the whole it was the least effective for weight loss of all 20 diets they reviewed.

Help! I am almost 5 months post-op and I have been losing hair at a rapid rate for 4 + weeks. I prefer to eat vegetarian, but lately I have even been eating meat tryinh to increase my protien intake. I am over protien shakes. At least for a minute and I have tried the pre-digested Protein syrups...Yuck! Is there any advise out there from any of you, any tricks up your sleeve? Even when I eat meat, it likely not enough as I have a hard time getting enough to do any good. My labs look fine. Thanks!

I am mostly vegetarian. I eat lots of beans, tofu and almond milk. Also low fat string cheese. There are some pretty good veggie meat options, too, like burgers and hot dogs. I also supplement with protein shakes. I use

I go in for my one month weigh in tomorrow and I am filled with anxiety. I usually have a mini panic attack right before I get on the scale, but I have been feeling this way since yesterday. In the past month, I have done really well. I became a vegetarian, so I have not been eating meat (I've been getting my Protein from Beans and tofu). I've worked out the most that I ever had since getting the band (walking for one hour 3-5 times a week or doing 40 minutes on my ellyptical machine). And, I've been drinking 32oz to 64oz of Water each day. I haven't exactly been perfect. I did mess up a few times (I have a huge sweet tooth) but I never went completely overboard. My goal for tomorrow is to be between 205-208. I started at 245 and the last time I weighed in I was 215. I have only lost 30lbs since I got banded in December of 2009. I used to be sad about my progress, but I figure if I lost 1 lb a week, that would be 52 lbs by December 2010 and I would be ok with that. The most that I have lost in a month has been about 3-4 lbs, but this is without working out or eating right. I'm just hoping that I have lost at least 7lbs this time. If not, I will be very disappointed. I don't think I can do any better than what I did this past month. OMG...this is so stressful and hard! I'm just venting really...hopefully someone one out there can calm me down a bit...

@missy- yea you're right! Wtf would he rather me eat processed lunch meat than a veg burger?? Eff that- I've been eating them with great satiety! I totally needed that .25 fill- what a world of difference!!! He kept saying about how I'm limited being vegetarian almost as if I would say "o screw my ethical beliefs, give me a side of beef just for you"??! @Jean- Don't kick a doggie!!!! I'll give you the address of that a hole and you can kick him!!! This idiot has a blog and everything-

It depends what type of vegetarian you are. If dairy and eggs are okay then: Nonfat or lowfat Greek yogurt (best), eggs, skim, 1% or 2% milk, almond milk, cottage cheese (1% or 2%), cheese, nuts, seeds and legumes/beans. If you can eat fish and shell-fish then no problem. They are a great source of Protein. Ahi tuna (real stuff, not canned tuna) is best followed by salmon and then on down. Quinoa is the grain highest in protein, but carbs and calories are dense. I really wouldn't think vegan will do for us. There are vegan sleevers, but being vegetarian is hard enough to get the protein in without taking out all animal products. Make sure you use whey isolate Protein powder for your shakes. If you don't want it based on milk or eggs there are rice based ones available.

I'm a vegetarian, so I will be eating lots of carbs. I do eat eggs and dairy, so that will help... but beans, tofu, even dairy has carbs. oh well. I will see how it shakes out when I am eating after the sleeve. I will be putting proteins first, and the protein drinks will help too. I did lose weight on Southbeach, as a vegetarian, without a lot of carb fueled hunger.

I eat everything. I seem to have a cast Iron belly that tolerates everything I've tried. I eat salads, but they always include Protein. You don't have to put meat on a salad for protein. I'm vegetarian so I typically add egg, cheese and Beans to my salads. I make my own dressings so I sometimes emulsify a bit of unflavored Protein powder into the them for an extra protein punch. I can go out to eat and get an appetizer for my main. I still log on MFP daily. I work out 5 - 6 days a week and make sure to have protein pre and post workout.

Hi peeps! Jan 18th, 51 pounds. I log everything, am a vegetarian and workout 5 days a week. (dance classes and walking mostly) Last month I lost 7 pounds... down from 10 a month... but as long as it keeps going in the right direction, Im OK with that! I'm now wearing a 14 pant, soon to be a 12....I just went through the closet, and tried some stuff on... I had a tight black blouse that has transformed into a perfect summer dress! I never would have worn it without pants in the past... today was the day to do that, white legs and all! Even my husband commented that the legs were looking pretty good. Love that sleeve! I think it is pretty interesting that we all are in the same ballpark weight loss wise... congrats girls!

This article didn't have Sleevers in mind but we can use some of the info here to get more Testosterone flowing through us. The third one surprised me and I was thinking that it was like a way of life for us. Well sort of.... 13 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Testosterone Levels By Ron Geraci, Men's Health, December 25, 2000 The normal level of testosterone in your bloodstream is between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). Like combable hair, those quantities silently start to wane around age 40. You lose about 1 percent a year -- a harmless decline in the short term, but a cause of obesity, brittle bones, muscle loss and impotence by the time you reach your 60s -- if you live that long. Testosterone levels in the low range (a blood serum score below 350 ng/dl) may increase your chances of dying of a heart attack. It's not just an old man's problem, either. Men in their 30s and 40s also fall prey to low testosterone counts. It's a disorder called hypogonadism, and it can be caused by an undescended ********, a testicular injury, a pituitary gland disorder or even prescription drugs. It usually goes undiagnosed until a man hits his doctor with a telltale complaint: "I can't get an erection." "If you have reduced levels of sexual desire, have your testosterone level checked immediately," says Dr. Allen Seftel, a urologist at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland. You can replenish your testosterone stores with injections, gels, pills or Patches, but these medical treatments are no panacea: Side effects include acne, high cholesterol, shrunken testicles and liver damage. Further, don't take supplements like DHEA or androstenedione to boost testosterone; they might increase your risks of prostate cancer and heart disease. "For men with borderline testosterone scores, I advise them to try to raise their levels through exercise and weight loss before going on testosterone therapy," says Dr. Goldberg. And it might pay to start young. "Since your testosterone declines at a steady rate, it's conceivable that raising your hormone levels naturally in your 20s and 30s could help you maintain higher levels later on," he says. Either way, the reward can be a stronger physique and better bedroom sessions than you'd otherwise deserve. Below are 13 tips designed to get your juice up -- safely. Get Rid of the Flopping Belly Or you'll grow a pair of fetching breasts to complement it. Carrying excess body fat elevates your estrogen levels, and that may cause your testosterone levels to sink, says Joseph Zmuda, an epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh. Louie Anderson is proof enough of this. Two or three extra pounds won't cause this hormonal shift; it really occurs once you're 30 percent over your ideal body weight. "Unfortunately, that's pretty common now," says Dr. Dobs. But Lose Only One Pound a Week When you want to trim down quickly, you probably starve yourself while exercising like a madman. One of the many reasons this stops working in your 30s, when your natural testosterone levels start dropping, is pretty simple: Cutting your calorie intake by more than 15 percent makes your brain think you're starving, so it shuts down testosterone production to wait out the famine. "There's no need to reproduce if you're starving," explains Thomas Incledon of Human Performance Specialists in Plantation, Fla. Ironically, this dive in circulating testosterone stops you from burning body fat efficiently, so you're actually thwarting your hard efforts to melt that tire off your gut. Skip the Atkins Fad Research suggests that eating a high-Protein, low-carbohydrate diet can cramp your testosterone levels. High amounts of dietary protein in your blood can eventually lower the amount of testosterone produced in your testes, says Incledon, who observed this relationship in a Penn State study of 12 healthy, athletic men. Your protein intake should be about 16 percent of your daily calories, Incledon says. So, if you're the average 170-pound man who eats 2,900 calories a day, you should eat about 140 grams of protein daily, which is about the amount in two chicken breasts and a 6-ounce can of tuna. Have Morning Sex German scientists found that simply having an erection causes your circulating testosterone to rise significantly -- and having one in the morning can goose your natural post-dawn testosterone surge. It's a sure bet you'll burn a little fat, too. Stick With Tough Exercises To beef up your testosterone levels, the bulk of your workout should involve "compound" weight-lifting exercises that train several large muscle groups, and not just one or two smaller muscles. For example, studies have shown that doing squats, bench presses or back rows increases testosterone more than doing biceps curls or triceps pushdowns, even though the effort may seem the same. This is why doing squats could help you build bigger biceps. Make Nuts Your Midnight Snack Nuts are good for your nuts. Research has found that men who ate diets rich in monounsaturated fat -- the kind found in peanuts -- had the highest testosterone levels. "It's not known why this occurs, but some scientists believe that monounsaturated fats have a direct effect on the testes," says Incledon. Nuts, olive oil, canola oil and Peanut Butter are good sources of monounsaturated fat. Squeeze Out Five Repetitions per Set Throwing around 5-pound dumbbells won't help you effect a rise in testosterone. Start off by using a heavy weight that you can lift only five times. That weight is about 85 percent of your one-repetition maximum. A Finnish study found that this workload produced the greatest boosts in testosterone. Do Three Sets of Each Weight-Lifting Movement Researchers at Penn State determined that this fosters greater increases in testosterone than just one or two sets. Rest a full minute between sets, so you can regain enough strength to continue lifting at least 70 percent of your one-rep maximum during the second and third sets. Rest Harder Than You Work Out If you overtrain -- meaning you don't allow your body to recuperate adequately between training sessions -- your circulating testosterone levels can plunge by as much as 40 percent, according to a study at the University of North Carolina. The symptoms of overtraining are hard to miss: irritability, insomnia, muscle shrinkage, joining the Reform Party. To avoid overtraining, make sure you sleep a full eight hours at night, and never stress the same muscles with weight-lifting movements two days in a row. Drive Home Sober To maintain a healthy testosterone count -- and titanium erections -- cut yourself off after three drinks. "Binge drinking will kill your testosterone levels," warns Incledon. Alcohol affects the endocrine system, causing your testes to stop producing the male hormone. That's one reason drinking often causes you to go limp at the moment of truth. Have a Sandwich at 3 p.m. As any sensible woman knows, the way to put hair on a man's chest is to fill his stomach. Your body needs a ready supply of calories to make testosterone, so regularly skipping meals or going for long stretches without eating can cause your levels of the hormone to plummet. Then again, that's probably the warden's plan. Buy the Fried Tortilla chips If you want to raise your testosterone score, eat a diet that includes about 30 percent fat, and not much less. Your body needs dietary fat to produce testosterone, so eating like a vegetarian aerobics instructor will cause your testosterone levels to sink drastically. This is bad, unless you actually are a vegetarian aerobics instructor. Stop Surfing for Porn at 2 a.m. sleeping less than seven to eight hours a night can screw up your circadian rhythm. That's why it's no wonder your testosterone levels are higher in the morning after a good night's sleep. So if your work or social schedule keeps you stooped in perpetual jet lag, don't be surprised if you stop craving sex. At least that'll make it easier to stay out of bed.

If you eat fish, you could go to any restaurant that serves fresh fish--just get it cooked any way other than fried. You could also have soup--just make sure you chew it really well and nothing with a lot of fibrous veggies right now. I also liked veggie chili and hummus at the local Middle Eastern joint when I was on soft foods (could do baba ganouj too). Didn't even miss the pita bread. I'm a vegetarian so don't eat fish--which is why Middle Eastern and refried Mexican Beans worked best for me. Not the easiest to eat out at this stage but it can be done and it's not bad if you focus on the company and the experience more than the actual food. Hope you have fun!