What's the best diet for a bandster?

Frequently Asked Question:  What's the best diet for a bandster?

Jean's Answer:  Any diet that meets your individual nutritional needs, gives you plenty of energy and helps you lose weight.

It doesn't have to be low-carb (although I know that works well for some folks, especially Miss Patty!).  It doesn't have to be Atkins, South Beach, Weigh****chers, or any other well-advertised, commercially-successful diet.  All you have to do is eat small quantities of nutrititious, primarily SOLID foods that you enjoy, and stay away from empty or liquid calories and your trigger foods (if that means avoiding carbs because you're a carbaholic, I'm sure Patty can guide you better than I can, because I was a stunning failure at the low-carb thing).  My best advice is to find an eating style that you can live with for the rest of your life, because maintaining your weight loss is not going to be automatic - it's a lifetime job.

Next Question:  What eating plan works best for you?  Let's celebrate diversity and demonstrate that there are lots of choices available to bandsters.

Jean's Answer:  I eat lean protein (animal, fish, dairy, soy), complex carbs (fruits, non-starchy veggies, whole grains), and as few saturated fats as I can.  In my weight loss phase, I ate 900-1000 calories a day.  I avoid starchy stuff not because it's intrinsically evil but because it makes my blood sugar crazy, and that makes me crazy.  For me, maintenance is about 1800 calories a day (I exercise a lot).  Occasionally I eat the sweets and salty snacks that I love, but I try not to bring them into my house because they're my trigger foods.

OK, it's your turn now!

Jean

Great post Jean (as always).....

I'm still relatively new at all this and just trying to find my way.....I'm not a great bandster by any means.....I still am doing protein shakes, why?  Because I like them, they're easy and they keep me full.  My doctor would not approve, but it's working for me so until that changes, I'll just keep on keeping on, you know?  As for what "real" food I eat....I eat lean protein, fruits, veggies, occasionally whole grain bread (not often because I don't find I stay full that long since I can't get very much of it down, LOL)......I range somewhere between 800-1000 calories a day, I exercise at least 6 days a week....so far, so good - although my loss has slowed down a lot lately, I'm totally fine with that...I know I'm very lucky to be where I am .

Sure can't argue with your weight loss success...your diet is clearly working for you!

My weight loss slowed down as I got closer to my goal too, but by that time I felt and looked so much better, I was still a happy band camper.

Jean

Jean, your diet is pretty much low carb maintenance!!
Right now I eat lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, low starch vegetables and natural cheese.
I avoid sugar, sweets, potatoes, pasta, rice, cereals, crackers, white starches and any processed foods.
I'll skip the fruits and whole grains until after I've reached my goal weight.
My calories are under 900 a day..usually around 800..and for maximum weight loss, I keep my carbs under 20 grams...at maintenance level they will be between 40-60 grams..
See, we're not so different!

Patty,

We're sisters in many ways, but 40-60 grams of carbs a day for maintenance??  I average 100 grams of carbs a day!

I do endorse the idea of avoiding processed foods because of all the weird stuff lurking in them, with names I can't even pronounce...

Jean

I used to go a bit higher at times during maintenance as long as the carbs didn't come from sugar..I remember being on maintenance and eating whole grain english muffins and even pizza occasionally and not having cravings or any weight gain..but if it's anything sweet..even too much fruit..it's a huge trigger for me..
I don't miss processed foods at all..I feel so much better on clean, natural foods..no bloating from all the inflammation those chemical additives cause in the body..

I think I am somewhere between Jean and Patty  I try to stay around 40-60 carbs a day,  but if I don't eat fruit I can't use the bathroom.  I eat lean protein- poultry, fish, pork and occasionally beef.  I very rarely eat starchy foods but on occasion eat the pasta or potato,  eating with a family of 4 sometimes is harder and all that tempting food in my house because my husband and son can eat anything and never gain a lb.  (Of course my most recent non scale victory is that I finally weigh less than my husband for the first time since having kids of course he is almost a foot taller than me.)  I just make sure I fill up on the protein and green vege before I even attempt any starchy food.  I eat about 900-1100 calories a day.  I do drink a protein drink after the gym on my way home to avoid the hunger attack when I get home and am making dinner.
Everyone is different and I have always been a slow looser.  Every diet I have ever done I have not lost more than a lb a week.  Even in the first weeks I never loose more than a lb.  I will never understand it.  I have tried the low carb route but again 1 lb a week, never more.  I think that this is a lifetime of changing my life not just a diet that I am on for the short term.
Have a great night all.

Skoozie,

Slow weight loss may test your patience, but it's still weight loss.

I lost weight at an average of 1.7 lbs/week.  At that rate, I had a hard time adjusting to the changes in my body and my life, and I think if I had lost weight more quickly than that, it would've been too much for my poor brain to keep up with!

Jean

Hi Jean,
I eat lean meat protein ( Beef, fish, soy, eggs dairy),  non starch veggies.  I stay away from breads and pasta because they seem to make me feel stuck. Every now and then I will eat a bite of sweets.  After getting my protein in I'm pretty full until the next meal.  I stay around 600-800 calories a day.  I try to get in 4 days of exercise. 

Good question! I like that we all identify what works for us.

I am a "food pyramid" eater. I eat food from all food groups and stay around 1,200 calories a day. I am ACTIVE but do no formal exercise. When I drop below 1,200, I don't loseso for me, I need to keep my calories up a little. I enjoy some bread (no alot), wine, but really haven't eaten many sweets (which is a WONDERFUL thing to me!)...

I get between 70-90 grams of protein in per day and have plenty of energy! I have been CAFFEINE FREE since the day of my surgery..and I am not quite sure how because I used to consume 5-6 cups per day! I LOVE fruit and veggies and I love grilled chicken or steak! I try to chew slow, but I forget sometimes. I do NOT drink with my food. I drink TONS of water per day (70+ ounces).

So far, I have had no fills but I am okay with it, as long as the scale continues to cooperate. I have had a couple of small stalls that have been depressing!! I probably will get a fill soon but I enjoy what I eat now and don't want to be too restricted. I DEFINITELY do NOT eat the volumes I did before.

Drum roll.....11 weeks and 43 pounds! I will take it!! My goal is to hit 45 pounds at my 3 months bandiversary! I can do it!

Good luck, I hope you find what works for you!

Connie