Keep on logging

[nursie026 36]

I am 3 weeks of going over my calorie goals.. I have it set for 900 calories . I'm averaging about 1300 calories a day and I'm 8 months post op out.. So many people talk on here how they can't tolerate certain foods or go over a certain amount of calories. . I seem to never have that issue.. I swear i can eat all day..I Never having dumping syndrome etc.. Is something wrong?? I don't know. I just keep logging away on myfitness pal.. Even on the bad days.

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

You look awesome!!!! I do dump if I do an overdose of simple carbs or something greasy but otherwise can eat anything!!! Steak, chicken, bread, Pasta, nothing ever gets stuck...I've not met a food that my pouch doesn't like. I consider myself extremely lucky!!!

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 207.4

[DLCoggin 1,788]

About half of all RNY patients never experience dumping. Sometimes pre-op folks go into surgery counting on dumping to help them lose weight. And then become concerned if they are in the 50% who do not experience dumping. That's unfortunate because there is absolutely no scientific evidence that folks who do experience dumping are any more (or less) successful than those who do not. Dumping is simply not a factor in predicting anyone's success.

Logging everything you eat is, in my humble opinion, the single most important thing anyone can do to help you achieve your goal weight, and then maintain it - long term. Logging gives you confidence - you don't "think" you met your calorie goal today, you "know" you did. Logging puts you in control - expecting to eat exactly XXX calories every day for the rest of your life is ridiculous. It's not sustainable, it's not realistic, and it's not "living" your life. Maintaining an AVERAGE calorie intake of XXX is sustainable, is realistic, and allows you to enjoy all of those special moments in your life which involve a delicious meal.

Logging your food puts you in control - you KNOW that you can have a 2000 calorie day and enjoy every delicious bite. Why? Because you KNOW that all you have to do is make a 100-200 calorie adjustment for a day or two and you're right back on track with your AVERAGE calorie goal. I lost 130 lbs over 13 months AVERAGING exactly 1294 calories a day. And I have maintained my 155 lb goal weight for the last seven months AVERAGING 1638 calories a day. I'm not suggesting those goals apply to everyone. I am suggesting that logging your food will allow you to KNOW that you are meeting the calorie/protein/carbohydrate/fat goals your doctor has recommended. And logging works exactly the same way regardless of where you are in your journey - pre-op diet, rapid weight loss stage, maintenance stage. That's power. That's confidence. And that's control.

If you haven't done so already, make the commitment to try it for 90 days. You're gonna love the new you!!

[worm2872 635]

Nursie, I am just like you! I'm over 7 months out and can eat all the time too esp now with PMS I am a bottomless pit!!!! Never dumping, just greasy foods hate me but they did before surgery. I have MFP set at 900 but I am averaging about 1000 now. My dr. said I should be between 1100-1200. That scares me but I know folks that eat 1300 at our stage and others that eat 500. The 500 scares me too. I'd pass out. Anyway, I just hope I continue to lose and I do keep logging.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Heather, how long have you been using MFP? I used a different app for over a year and then decided to make the switch. Love MFP. It has the largest food database I've ever seen - everything is in there! Lol.

Although I try to follow "doctors orders" to the letter, at 13 months (my weight was 155 lbs) my surgeon recommended that I increase my calories to 1800/day. That felt a little high so I increased to 1600/day. I've been doing fine, blood work is spot on, and I've maintained my goal weight for the past seven months. Weight goes up a pound or two over my goal, I adjust my calories down for a day or two. Couple of times weight has gone down a pound or two under my goal, I adjust my calories up for a day or two.

At six to twelve months post-op, I'm not sure any particular calorie number is as important as whatever number of calories produces the results you're looking for (within reason of course). MFP is a great tool that I can't ever imagine not using.

[nursie026 36]

Nursie' date=' I am just like you! I'm over 7 months out and can eat all the time too esp now with PMS I am a bottomless pit!!!! Never dumping, just greasy foods hate me but they did before surgery. I have MFP set at 900 but I am averaging about 1000 now. My dr. said I should be between 1100-1200. That scares me but I know folks that eat 1300 at our stage and others that eat 500. The 500 scares me too. I'd pass out. Anyway, I just hope I continue to lose and I do keep logging.[/quote']

I have days of 900 and days of 1600 calories!! Talk about scary my pouch honestly doesn't care.. That alone makes me panic.. I just hope I can learn to average a healthy calorie intake and take care of the new body I have.. Lately I'm slacking.

[nursie026 36]

About half of all RNY patients never experience dumping. Sometimes pre-op folks go into surgery counting on dumping to help them lose weight. And then become concerned if they are in the 50% who do not experience dumping. That's unfortunate because there is absolutely no scientific evidence that folks who do experience dumping are any more (or less) successful than those who do. Dumping is simply not a factor in predicting anyone's success.

Logging everything you eat is' date=' in my humble opinion, the single most important thing anyone can do to help you achieve your goal weight, and then maintain it - long term. Logging gives you confidence - you don't "think" you met your calorie goal today, you "know" you did. Logging puts you in control - expecting to eat exactly XXX calories every day for the rest of your life is ridiculous. It's not sustainable, it's not realistic, and it's not "living" your life. Maintaining an AVERAGE calorie intake of XXX is sustainable, is realistic, and allows you to enjoy all of those special moments in your life which involve a delicious meal.

Logging your food puts you in control - you KNOW that you can have a 2000 calorie day and enjoy every delicious bite. Why? Because you KNOW that all you have to do is make a 100-200 calorie adjustment for a day or two and you're right back on track with your AVERAGE calorie goal. I lost 130 lbs over 13 months AVERAGING exactly 1294 calories a day. And I have maintained my 155 lb goal weight for the last seven months AVERAGING 1638 calories a day. I'm not suggesting those goals apply to everyone. I am suggesting that logging your food will allow you to KNOW that you are meeting the calorie/protein/carbohydrate/fat goals your doctor has recommended. And logging works exactly the same way regardless of where you are in your journey - pre-op diet, rapid weight loss stage, maintenance stage. That's power. That's confidence. And that's control.

If you haven't done so already, make the commitment to try it for 90 days. You're gonna love the new you!![/quote']

Great advice! Just wish I knew the correct calorie intake for me .: my nut beats around the bush telling me my pouch will limit me and not to worry.. 1600 calories later.. I'm still asking her

[DLCoggin 1,788]

I have days of 900 and days of 1600 calories!! Talk about scary my pouch honestly doesn't care.. That alone makes me panic.. I just hope I can learn to average a healthy calorie intake and take care of the new body I have.. Lately I'm slacking.

So do I and that's ok IF you are maintaining the AVERAGE calorie intake that is right for you. Your pouch doesn't count calories, Protein, carbs or fats. It's entirely possible to eat quite a large volume of food that totals 900 calories and quite a small volume of food that totals 1600. "Listening" to your pouch is important. Very important. But it only tells part of the story. Your log gives you much more information.

If you're struggling, make small, realistic adjustments to your calorie goal that will bring you back to your AVERAGE goal over a period of time. Avoid the dramatic changes that invariably leave you hungry. It's about control, not denial. React quickly to small increases in weight (1-2 lbs) with small reductions (100-200) in calories. Let your log be your guide!

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Great advice! Just wish I knew the correct calorie intake for me .: my nut beats around the bush telling me my pouch will limit me and not to worry.. 1600 calories later.. I'm still asking her

I'm not a nutritionist and most certainly not a doctor. But I think it is impossible for health care professionals to specify the perfect calorie intake that will allow every person to lose or even maintain their weight. There are simply too many variables. YOUR log on the other hand will, with a little experimenting, tell you exactly what YOUR number is. Pick an AVERAGE number you feel is appropriate and try it for a week. If you're trying to lose X lbs a week and you gain a little, reduce your average a little. If you lose less than your X lbs a week goal, reduce your average a little. If you don't lose anything, reduce your average a little. If you're trying to maintain your goal weight and your weight doesn't change - that's YOUR number. Just keep in mind that YOUR number may change from time to time, up or down. When you know what you're eating and you know that you can make small adjustments any time, there's no fear in enjoying a meal. That's the power of the log!

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

So do I and that's ok IF you are maintaining the AVERAGE calorie intake that is right for you. Your pouch doesn't count calories' date=' Protein, carbs or fats. It's entirely possible to eat quite a large volume of food that totals 900 calories and quite a small volume of food that totals 1600. "Listening" to your pouch is important. Very important. But it only tells part of the story. Your log gives you much more information.

If you're struggling, make small, realistic adjustments to your calorie goal that will bring you back to your AVERAGE goal over a period of time. Avoid the dramatic changes that invariably leave you hungry. It's about control, not denial. React quickly to small increases in weight (1-2 lbs) with small reductions (100-200) in calories. Let your log be your guide![/quote']

Awesome advice!!!! Small maintainable tweaks can make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 206.8

[worm2872 635]

Heather, how long have you been using MFP? I used a different app for over a year and then decided to make the switch.

Dave, I started using MFP about August of last year. I missed a few days after my surgery but have not missed a day since. You are right, it is the best one I have ever used and the app is great. Logging is what keeps me on track. I log the good, the bad and the ugly. And yes, some days are really ugly. But to your point, then I scale back for a few days.

I am also an everyday weigher which I know people frown upon and I can see why. If I don't keep myself accountable, I wander off track. I lost about 80 pounds on my own about ten years ago and when I swayed from the scale and logging, it all came back and more. No accountability.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Great job Heather - good for you!! I get so excited about logging because I truly believe that it is a quick and easy way to establish that all important "accountability". I actually stopped logging for about two months after I had reached my goal weight. Huge mistake and one that I won't make again. There were days when I weighed thinking that my weight should have gone down only to find that I gained a pound or two. And days when I weighed thinking my weight should have gone up only to find that I lost a pound or two. It was a real emotional roller coaster.

I'm embarrassed to admit that it took me two months to come to the realization that the ONLY thing that had changed was my own foolish decision to stop logging my food. As soon as I resumed logging, all the "why's" and "why nots" disappeared. A real eye opener and one that I hope others will benefit from.

[iamworthit 208]

I agree with you both I truly believe logging our food is key. I got the band five years ago and was revised to RNY two weeks ago. I have logged my food ( good, bad, ugly) for the last six 5.5 years. I can show you exactly when I gained and why. I am a meal skipper and if I don't break my calories up into 5-6 small meals/ Snacks I am doomed. I have tried several of the applications but always come back to my fitness pal. I love spark people too but there is too much information on that site for day to day tracking (imo ).

[kmarcelle 2]

I was getting ready to post if logging makes a difference on a new thread but I got the answer. Ty for the advice