Lora

I absolutely understand what you are saying...I'm only 2 months post op but my outlook on food has totally changed since surgery. I used to live for my next meal or snack and worried about not only what would it be, but would there be enough to really make me feel satisfied.  

When I filled out questionaires prior to my first appt at the clinic it asked how many meals a day do you eat.  My answer was one meal...it just lasted all day.  I ate all the time because I was so out of control.  I told myself it was not that much so it was ok and my weight was stable for the last 6-8 years.  but I was only lying to myself because I am a refined carb addict, I'm certain.  

I realize how newly re-arranged my innards are and that makes it easier to resist temptation, but I marvel at how little appeal refined carbs hold right now......and how much healthier I feel without them.
Lizzy

I feel the same way.  When I'm not eating refined carbs I could care less about them.  But once I start eating them it becomes an obsession as to where can I get more.  I keep reminding myself how much better I feel physically and mentally without them.  I just hope I can hang on to that.  I know how sneaky my carb addiction is.  Even now it is trying to tell me that since I can't eat very much it would be ok to have a little.  The problem is, I don't want a little.  I want a lot and then some more.  Too much is not enough.

I agree.  People bring food in every day at work.  Yesterday, bagels,  the day before cake with nuts,  last week.....Easter candy.  I find it is much easier to abstain then to try and have a small piece of anything.  But this week it is easier since I am on Optifast.  I can't have any now.

I bet this doctor is skinny, too, right?

I admire you for being aware of what works for you and being committed to that. Go YOU!

I think it is absolutely essential that every person figures out what works for THEM and then STICKS TO IT.  Good for you!  Don't let your doctor "bully" you into giving up what works.

I happen to be one of the people in the opposite camp.  Having a list of forbidden foods would make me crave those foods intensely (deprivation makes me insane), whereas if nothing is prohibited, I usually do just fine limiting myself to a small amount of something (and once I have had a little, the urge is gone and I move on.)  Now, there are certain things that this does NOT work for me with.... cookies (other than RF Nilla Wafers), for example. I cannot have them in the house because I have no self control with them.  Yet other kinds of treats are just fine.

If it works for you, then do it.  If it doesn't work for you, then find whatever does work for you and do THAT.  NO ONE should let anyone else tell them that there is only ONE WAY to make WLS work long term.

Lora

I am kind of in your camp regarding this. If I know I absolutely CANNOT have something I want to eat it. If I can have a small taste of it that is usually enough. The exception to that rule (lately) is wheat thins. I bought the whole wheat, reduced fat kind for my tuna and egg salad, and I cannot have them, because I continue to snack on them. So the first box was the last box.

I haven't eaten any sugar or sweets at all yet but I think when I am at goal I'll be able to have a small bite of cake and/or ice cream or a bite size piece of chocolate easily.

I think knowing your triggers is great! I try most things in moderation, but I don't have many trigger foods. When I find something works as a trigger than I either don't buy it at all or only in limited amounts (i.e. if my hubby is dying for chips, I buy HIS chips not my Nacho Dorrito's) if my kids want MY Nacho Dorrito's I only buy the small packs and one for each of them, That way I don't have much just sitting around calling my name and tempting me.

FWIW, I think your doing a fantastic job!

Some posts can read like they're trying to get a majority group approval for their eating strategy, and it's funny because it almost seems like their concern is to build a convincing argument about their food choices, and that this will either make their bodies respond the way they hope or "absolve" them if it doesn't.
It doesn't matter what other people do, or if they approve or not. If it makes you sick, or slows your wieght loss down, even if it works for someone else, it doesn't work for you. We do need to figure our new eating out on a very personalized level, because our bodies seem to handle thigs really differently.

I like posts like this. It spurs self-evaluation and often can be a remedy to some of the questions we have about stalls, gains, and things of that nature. As I approach the end of my 'honeymoon' phase, I have to strongly consider this very concept. Am I truly capable of moderation? What things should I abstain from? My goal is to keep off what I've lost, so this question is SERIOUS.