When you're planning your diet, how do you make sure you're sticking to the plan?

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

Your diet is the most important factor in weight loss. The weight loss surgery diet includes about 65 to 80 grams of Protein per day, nutritious foods from different food groups, and a limited number of calories. When you're planning your diet, how do you make sure you're sticking to the plan?

• You count grams of protein and make sure to avoid high-fat, high-sugar foods.
• You count calories and don't worry about the rest.
• You stick to the meal plan your surgeon or nutritionist gave you and make sure to have the right number of servings at each meal.
• You choose one high-protein food and one or two servings of fruit, vegetables, or starch at each meal.
• You eat until you're full but don't worry about counting or measuring.
• Something else – let us know in the conversation!

Mark your answer and explain it in the conversation below. We want to know how you make sure you're sticking to your diet!

[Bandista 7,466]

Mostly I just listen to my body and make good choices but don't count calories or Protein grams, etc. This is because I was so restrictive in my dieting life. I am not on a diet now; that's why I got the band. I eat small amounts of good food at appropriate intervals and then stop when I get the signal that I've had enough (note that "enough" is not the old sensation of "full" -- we don't really eat to fullness, we stop when we are satisfied). And fortunately I already love "real" food so I didn't have to address addictions to junk foods, artificial sweeteners, etc.

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

Mostly I just listen to my body and make good choices but don't count calories or Protein grams, etc. This is because I was so restrictive in my dieting life. I am not on a diet now; that's why I got the band. I eat small amounts of good food at appropriate intervals and then stop when I get the signal that I've had enough (note that "enough" is not the old sensation of "full" -- we don't really eat to fullness, we stop when we are satisfied). And fortunately I already love "real" food so I didn't have to address addictions to junk foods, artificial sweeteners, etc.

Ditto! I measured, calculated and tracked all my calorie intake when I first had surgery. After 11 years of living with the Lap-band, I make the right choices and listen to my body and Band. I does help that I only stock my fridge, freezer and pantry with (mostly) healthy and nutritious items. I normally cut up fruits and veggies and have them readily available if I need to grab a quick snack.< /p>

[Arlene G 31]

Ditto! I measured, calculated and tracked all my calorie intake when I first had surgery. After 11 years of living with the Lap-band, I make the right choices and listen to my body and Band.

Congrats on maintaining your weight loss for the past eleven years.

[Forsythia 882]

I'm a pretty boring eater. I almost always have the same things each day. Mornings are a shake or iced coffee with a scoop of Protein powder, then later Greek yogurt. lunch is typically a lean cuisine/Atkins/weight watchers smart ones meal. Protein Bar for a snack, gym, then dinner seems to be whatever meat is in my fridge that I can forage. LOL.

[bikrchk 1,313]

^{I fall under "Something Else" . I choose Protein first at meals. A scoop in my morning java and a Quest bar in the afternoon pretty much daily helps me make sure I hit 75g per day, every day. Beyond that, I tend to eat what I like, working it into my nutritional totals for the day. I don't stress about "forbidden foods" because I know I'm hitting my targets, there is no guilt. I crave less when I live this way. I use a fitness watch to know my activity level and exercise 5 days per week with a HR monitor so I know what I'm burning. It must be working as I've hit and have so far been able to maintain my goal, (actually a bit below these days). Though some days, I feel like a slave to the tracking, I never expected the sweet freedom that my sleeve has given me! It's a trade off I'll happily continue!}

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I use MFP. I count calories, and eat more if I exercise more. I try to keep my diet balanced, I generally use the numbers recommended by MFP, but up my Protein a bit, and follow the 5:2 semi fast 1-2 days a week to maintain. I am 3 1/2 years out, and have found if I don't do this most days/weeks, I will gain weight. I am a vegetarian.

[Healthier2day1227 326]

I track calories and Protein. I have been at goal for two months and for me maintenance is 1200-1300 cal per day. I use mfp to track everything and go for 90 g of protein, I'm 5'10 so I was told by my nutritionist I need a little more.

[mi75 1,239]

i track Protein and liquids. i watch my intake of simple carbs and try to avoid them for the most part (Pasta about 1x per month, white potato maybe 1x every 2 wks, no rice, no bread).

i will have fruit if it is available to me or salad or roasted veggies. i include winter squash in my veggies.

i still use ranch dressing for things, and miracle whip and butter in small amounts.

i avoid sugars and try to sub with stevia or splenda.

[Yasman 195]

The right response to the poll for me would be a mix of items one and two. I primarily track Protein, but I do also track calories and the proportions of Protein to carbs to fat.

I also pay attention to not just net calories but what's happening on exercise days, upping the carbs a bit for heavy workout days.

[Kindle 8,667]

Never counted, tracked or weighed. Eat when I'm hungry and just until satisfied. I Keep a running tally in my head so I know I'm getting at least 64oz Water. Have a large 30-40g protein/fiber smoothie everyday and just eat a healthy, balanced diet of Protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains. However, I also eat deserts, ice cream, alcohol, bread, cake, muffins, chips, potatoes, Pasta, and candy in moderation. Easiest "diet" I've ever been on and I've been maintaining at 10 pounds below my goal weight for almost 4 months.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Kindle

[HappygoSusan 296]

My diet plan is basically ensure I get at least 65-80 grams of Protein a day. I track on my fitness pal to make sure I reach that goal but I do not track sugar or carbs. My daily intake usually averages about 1400 calories.

I maintain a weight of 157-160, which places my BMI at around 21.4

Susan