Always Hungry/Dizziness

[smithpy 117]

Hello everyone. Doing great since surgery. I've lost 101-104 pounds.

I noticed that I eat way more simple carbs than I used to so I'm trying to get back to the basics.

I started back working out because it's been too long.

Two concerns thus far:

1. I am always hungry. I eat, sometimes past full, then with 1-2 hours I'm famished.

2. Sometimes I feel dizzy. I think maybe the result of a) my Iron supplement and not enough Water. But I'm not sure.

How is everyone else?

[MIJourney 490]

Sounds like the weight loss is going great for you! Congrats on that!

Agree on getting back to the basics of Protein first.

The protein helps keep hunger at bay and the carbs can create craving more carbs.

The Water is key too.

[gamergirl 4,610]

That sounds fantastic! Congratulations! I don't have the experience that you do so I could be totally off-base, but you say you're eating more simple carbs. Do they maybe trigger you to feel hungrier as your blood sugar drops from the surge? Could it be that by not eating Protein first, you aren't feeling the fullness you used to? Just thinking out loud.

[smithpy 117]

OMG. Forgot all about eating the Protein first. When I eat simple carbs it seems like I can eat 2-3 servings. It's crazy. I feel so much better when I exercise, get enough sleep and eat right.

I've gained 3.5 lbs in recent weeks and since I refuse to go back I'm going to make these simple changes you both suggested.

[Pinky Green 260]

I have lost almost 80 lbs. I seem to lose in spurts of about 10-12 lbs at a time. I was stuck between 172-174 for the longest time. I would be 172 one day and then 174 the next and back and forth. That was for about 3 months. Then all of a sudden I was at 160. Now I'm stuck going between 160-163 back and forth. I lose down to 160 and then back up to 163 and then back down.

I too find I can eat way more simple carbs than I used to be able to, but not near as much as I used to eat before the sleeve. Example, I used to go to a place called Tia Maria's. I would go by myself, eat guacamole, a ground beef taco, and a tostada with queso - that was just the first plate. Then they brought a plate with a tamale, two cheese enchiladas, rice and Beans. And I ate the whole basket of chips. Anyone care to estimate how many servings of simple carbs that was?

Now I can't eat more than two or three servings of any kind of carb. Rice and Pasta causes me to throw up if I eat more than two servings.

My doctor told me to get 60-80 grams of Protein and I know that they said to eat Protein first, so here's what I do:

First, I get a ahead of the game by having a 30 gram Protein Drink, it's like 180 calories with very little sugar. For the other two meals, I take about 3 bits of the protein first. Then I take a bite of a non-starchy vegetable and then a bite of my starch. Then 3 more bites of protein. I still get all my protein first, and I think it's really better if I am able to get in a good amount of fresh vegetables and whole grains. I try to eat a 2 or 3 oz piece of fish or a chicken thigh because a breast is too big and a drumstick isn't quite enough. I'm not usually able to eat the whole thigh though. And with the chicken, I can usually eat about a third of a cup of vegetables and about a half a cup of rice. I'd say I'm getting about a cup or a cup and a half of food most lunches and dinners. It all seems to be very variable - some days I can only eat about 2/3 of a cup and other days I can eat a cup and a half. I think it depends on what I eat though. I can eat quite a bit of Soup. solid food I can eat much less. I can eat more chicken and fish than beef or pork.

I have however, let myself get bad about eating too much popcorn. I think popcorn isn't bad, as long as it isn't made with a lot of fat and salt, because it is a whole grain, however, I certainly shouldn't be eating the whole bag (3 servings) even though I am able to. I think eating too much popcorn with salt is what has been making me constipated and possibly also contributing to Water weight. I have quit buying popcorn in the microwavable bags and have bought me a small stainless steel pot just to make popcorn in. If I use the two quart pan, I will eat all the popcorn I cook in a two quart pan, if I only use a one quart pan then I will only be able to eat one quart or less. I do use good oil though, grapeseed oil. That's my worst temptation to overeat I have had so far.

[smithpy 117]

Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you are on the right path. I've noted a few of your suggestions for my use. I like the idea of using a small pot to pop the popcorn, eat Protein first and eat the veggies.