Weight loss doing great, but darn, I'm always hungry!!!

[gwbicster 257]

Yes you are similar to me in the way you operate. But sometimes I want something a bit more complex. I don't know if just Beans would ever satisfy me- I prefer chili. And I just found a recipe for Fat Head pizza that I'm dying to try.

Right now I can only eat 2 ounces at a time (if that) so it's hard to prepare portions that small. I can't wait until I get up to 4 ounces- and maybe some veggies too- what a joy that will be!

[blizair09 3,250]

12 minutes ago, gwbicster said:

Yes you are similar to me in the way you operate. But sometimes I want something a bit more complex. I don't know if just Beans would ever satisfy me- I prefer chili. And I just found a recipe for Fat Head pizza that I'm dying to try.

Right now I can only eat 2 ounces at a time (if that) so it's hard to prepare portions that small. I can't wait until I get up to 4 ounces- and maybe some veggies too- what a joy that will be!

I'll throw this out there -- for me, working toward looking at food as fuel and nothing more was a necessity for my success. I no longer worry about what I would like to eat, and instead focus on what I need to eat. I spent the entire six months prior to my surgery working on that so I wouldn't have to deal with it at the same time I was trying to heal and adjust to post-op life. And after 40 years of food being the center of my life, it wasn't an easy journey, but one well worth taking...

[Apple1 2,572]

6 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

I'll throw this out there -- for me, working toward looking at food as fuel and nothing more was a necessity for my success. I no longer worry about what I would like to eat, and instead focus on what I need to eat. I spent the entire six months prior to my surgery working on that so I wouldn't have to deal with it at the same time I was trying to heal and adjust to post-op life. And after 40 years of food being the center of my life, it wasn't an easy journey, but one well worth taking...

I think this post is something worth thinking about. I believe many (myself included) don't do enough work on changing the way we look at food. I have been working on this for myself. Instead of thinking about what am I in the mood for, I look in the freezer find an appropriate Protein and a vegetable to go with it, thinking more about what does my body need. I am spending more time making sure I meet my macro goals and less time worrying about cooking certain recipes. I still cook things my husband wants, but I make sure what I am eating fits my plan.

[blizair09 3,250]

7 minutes ago, Apple1 said:

I think this post is something worth thinking about. I believe many (myself included) don't do enough work on changing the way we look at food. I have been working on this for myself. Instead of thinking about what am I in the mood for, I look in the freezer find an appropriate Protein and a vegetable to go with it, thinking more about what does my body need. I am spending more time making sure I meet my macro goals and less time worrying about cooking certain recipes. I still cook things my husband wants, but I make sure what I am eating fits my plan.

This is why I eat the exact same thing every single day. Now don't get me wrong, the things I eat, I like. So, it isn't misery or anything, But, I spent a lot of time getting myself in this mindset and finding appropriate foods (e.g., cottage cheese, chicken, salmon, 93% hamburger, green Beans, etc.) that would work for me.

Part of my obesity was eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it for 40 years. That had to end, and this was the only way for me to do that.

[gwbicster 257]

I apologize and maybe this will make me a "loser" (or gainer) long term, but I just don't agree. Like you I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantity I wanted for my whole life, however, just because I am modifying my lifestyle by limiting the portions and eating healthy does NOT mean I need to stop enjoying the food I am allowed to eat.That's not going to be the path on my journey.

I believe I can learn to be satisfied with a "normal" portion of healthy food and THAT is why I had the surgery, not to put myself in food jail for the rest of my life. If your way works for you then more power to you- it won't work for me.

Edited July 11, 2017 by gwbicster

[Apple1 2,572]

39 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

This is why I eat the exact same thing every single day. Now don't get me wrong, the things I eat, I like. So, it isn't misery or anything, But, I spent a lot of time getting myself in this mindset and finding appropriate foods (e.g., cottage cheese, chicken, salmon, 93% hamburger, green Beans, etc.) that would work for me.

Part of my obesity was eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it for 40 years. That had to end, and this was the only way for me to do that.

I don't think I will ever go as far as eating the exact same things everyday, but I appreciate the way you have figured out what works for you. I do have several meals that I rotate throughout the month and then rinse and Repeat.

I like the mindset of food is fuel. I still enjoy the flavors and textures of the fuel, but I don't think about the foods I shouldn't eat much anymore. I spend more time concentrating on other things. I am working on getting fit and My time running is becoming more important to me. I can sit and enjoy my husbands company at dinner now and not even be thinking about the food. It is a very good feeling to be in control.

[Apple1 2,572]

45 minutes ago, gwbicster said:

I apologize and maybe this will make me a "loser" (or gainer) long term, but I just don't agree. Like you I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantity I wanted for my whole life, however, just because I am modifying my lifestyle by limiting the portions and eating healthy does NOT mean I need to stop enjoying the food I am allowed to eat.That's not going to be the path on my journey.

I believe I can learn to be satisfied with a "normal" portion of healthy food and THAT is why I had the surgery, not to put myself in food jail for the rest of my life. If your way works for you then more power to you- it won't work for me.

I think as long as your choices are healthy and the proper portions that is what's most important. Everyone has to figure out what works for them. I am still in this learning phase myself.

I don't think blizair09 was saying you must follow his plan to be successful, he was just sharing what has worked for him.

I do think reevaluating our relationships with food and figuring out how we need to change it is a good idea.

[blizair09 3,250]

1 hour ago, gwbicster said:

I apologize and maybe this will make me a "loser" (or gainer) long term, but I just don't agree. Like you I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantity I wanted for my whole life, however, just because I am modifying my lifestyle by limiting the portions and eating healthy does NOT mean I need to stop enjoying the food I am allowed to eat.That's not going to be the path on my journey.

I believe I can learn to be satisfied with a "normal" portion of healthy food and THAT is why I had the surgery, not to put myself in food jail for the rest of my life. If your way works for you then more power to you- it won't work for me.

I was simply offering a perspective, not suggesting that you had to do anything the way I do it.

I won't comment any further on one of your threads.

Good luck!

[gwbicster 257]

As you wish.

[Sandee29 113]

I agree, cooking for one is difficult. I found a ton of recipes on bariatric sites and Pinterest that my family also enjoys. I take out a few containers for myself and portion out my lunches for a couple of days and freeze some. costco sells a lot of ready made food if cooking is difficult and you just want the grab & go lifestyle. I stock up on precooked chicken skewers, lox, guacamole, chicken sausage) I am addicted to their stuffed peppers which goes in the oven for about an hour and I have lunch/dinner for a week.


I ALWAYS have Snacks with me (pistachio nuts, spiced cashews, tuna pouches, humus/veggies and Protein bars- Nugo Slim ones are sooo good and come in a few different flavors)

Prior to the surgery I never had a plan - so I know having a plan and things handy will help me be successful. I do the occasional Wendy's with my daughter (she's 6 y/o) we get the 6 piece nugget and I'm fine with 2 [emoji106].

Good luck and I wish you luck in finding what works for you!

[shericrazylady 113]

I'll throw this out there -- for me, working toward looking at food as fuel and nothing more was a necessity for my success. I no longer worry about what I would like to eat, and instead focus on what I need to eat. I spent the entire six months prior to my surgery working on that so I wouldn't have to deal with it at the same time I was trying to heal and adjust to post-op life. And after 40 years of food being the center of my life, it wasn't an easy journey, but one well worth taking...

I'm the exact same now

Sent from my A1601 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Little Green 583]

On 7/9/2017 at 6:33 PM, gwbicster said:

I'm having issues finding a therapist. I was a self pay, and my insurance will not pay for anything bariatric related, including a therapist. So I have to find someone that is on their plan, who ALSO perhaps has some experience with bariatric people, or else I have to pay out of pocket. And the surgery kind of wiped me out.

I don't think you got an answer to this. I found my therapist by searching for one that specializes in eating disorders. Although you may not (probably don't) have an actual diagnosable eating disorder, those types of therapists generally have a good understanding of what goes on in our minds when we're struggling with our eating habits so they can really help. They probably have helped many bariatric patients! You can call your insurance company and they can actually look up in-network therapists with this specialty for you.

I'm pre-op so with my therapist I'm working on things like mindful eating, emotions about eating, strategies for learning to adapt to nutritious foods instead of "tasty" (what I think of as tasty right now, anyway) processed foods, etc. I'm trying to do this before surgery so I'm prepared, but even after surgery you should get a lot of benefit from it!

I've watched a lot of Dr. Weiner's videos, particularly the ones about weight regain after surgery (my second biggest fear - the first being not waking up from the surgery!), and they have convinced me that I need to totally change my diet instead of relying on the restriction for Portion Control to induce weight loss, because the appetite eventually comes back for 100% of patients. Even so, I personally still think that I'll occasionally eat things like Wendy's chili or a salad from a fast food place. Are leafy greens with red cabbage, Tomato, and carrot magically not "whole" foods just because they're from Chick-Fil-A?

Edited July 12, 2017 by Little Green

[gwbicster 257]

Fantastic tip about the therapist- thanks!

[Zillah 8]

This seems to be every bit psychological. We have to remember that we had a bad relationship with food, and the fast food choices you made reflect it. Maybe learning how to cook decent, tasteful, healthy dishes would help. I'm reevaluating my relationship with food. I passed a great test this weekend with my family. We were at a nice restaurant and their food looked and smelled amazing. I had Powerade and Water without any psychological backlash. The only thing I thought was "Wow! Before I would eat all of mine and some of theirs." That helps me put things in perspective.

Eat to live, not live to eat.

[Little Green 583]

34 minutes ago, Zillah said:

This seems to be every bit psychological. We have to remember that we had a bad relationship with food, and the fast food choices you made reflect it. Maybe learning how to cook decent, tasteful, healthy dishes would help. I'm reevaluating my relationship with food. I passed a great test this weekend with my family. We were at a nice restaurant and their food looked and smelled amazing. I had Powerade and Water without any psychological backlash. The only thing I thought was "Wow! Before I would eat all of mine and some of theirs." That helps me put things in perspective.

Eat to live, not live to eat.

OP said he absolutely loves to cook & based on his subsequent comments it seems like he's already pretty good at it. I do agree (in general, not directed at OP) that finding new, interesting ways to cook healthy foods instead of the traditional "grilled chicken with steamed broccoli" is a good way to learn to enjoy healthy food. Definitely something that's VERY high on my priority list.