Bad Girls and Boys?? Rule Breakers?
What rules do you stick to? 
What are "the rules?" Who gets to set the rules?
I am an adult and I can lick all the Doritos I want. Now, if I eat too many Doritos I will probably regain a bunch of weight, but that's my choice, I can do it if I want to. If I eat two big spoonfuls of sugar I would dump, but that's my choice too, I can do it if I want to.
If by "rules" you are referring to our doctors' recommendations, well, I follow some of them and some I don't. My surgeon told me to take calcium carbonate but I choose to take calcium citrate instead because I want to actually absorb the calcium that I take. I enjoy having bones. But my doctors don't get to make rules for me to follow. They make recommendations, which I can choose to follow or not.
I am an adult and I can lick all the Doritos I want. Now, if I eat too many Doritos I will probably regain a bunch of weight, but that's my choice, I can do it if I want to. If I eat two big spoonfuls of sugar I would dump, but that's my choice too, I can do it if I want to.
If by "rules" you are referring to our doctors' recommendations, well, I follow some of them and some I don't. My surgeon told me to take calcium carbonate but I choose to take calcium citrate instead because I want to actually absorb the calcium that I take. I enjoy having bones. But my doctors don't get to make rules for me to follow. They make recommendations, which I can choose to follow or not.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
This is a personal choice issue. But "testing the waters" may lead you down the wrong path. I know multiple people who did this during Holidays. They assumed they'd dump and proudly announced at support groups they did NOT DUMP. Then they'd come to the next meeting and say "they shouldn't have tested the waters" as they are now eating too many wrong items, complain of no wt loss or wt regain, and then do not return to meetings at all. Just assume you'll dump, and follow protocol as closely as possible. This is TRUE, especially for the firt 6-8 months where you'll likely lose most of your excess wt. This does not mean you can't "try" some of these off list foods later on. The issue becomes lifestyle adjustment and MENTAL CONTROL over how much of what food item you eat. Having a couple of cookies or a piece of pizza is not forbidden post op, but it's wisest to resist these items for the first several months. You mentally have to realize that eating these "non wt loss items" should NOT be a real common eating pattern, but a treat every once in a while. Follow the protocol as a new post op and you'll likely be very successful. DAVE
Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.
My doctors rules/advice is
Surgeon
1) no drinking 30 minutes prior to eating. Don't follow this one I will drink up until about 5 minutes prior.
2) 3 Meals a day. Don't follow this when doing big training days I will eat up to 10 times a day, but my calories are still well within my goal.
3) No protein shakes after 3 months. Don't follow this one either as I have 2-3 shakes a day and 3-4 quality protein bars. Due to my metabolism and workout schedule and intensity my protein goals are in the 150+ range which would have me eating all day.
4) Complex carbs only. Yep don't follow this. While I don't eat refined sugar I do eat fruits (love me some bananas before and after a run). Before long runs I will eat Baked potato, pizza after a morning run I will have a bagel or english muffin. It's all about the glycogen!
Ortho Docs & Physical Therapist (Yes I have 2 ortho I specializes in knee the other in shoulder)
1) Knee doc says to ease up on the running. Ummm yeah I ran 8 miles the day after he said this and have 10-12 planned for tomorrow.
2) Shoulder doc & PT - Keep the weights light to moderate and do high reps. Ummm No I go as heavy as I can and do low reps.
3) Both say Take 4-8 weeks off from training. Ummm no again I have things to do and goals to meet. When I first saw the Ortho for my knee I told him straight out "I have a Half Marathon in 2 days and I am doing it regardless of what you say". Nothing kills yur spirit like having trained for months for something only to not do it. I regret this for my Tri earlier this year.
The one thing that my Surgeon, my NUT and support group leaders tell me to do that I follow 100% is ENJOY MY LIFE!
Surgeon
1) no drinking 30 minutes prior to eating. Don't follow this one I will drink up until about 5 minutes prior.
2) 3 Meals a day. Don't follow this when doing big training days I will eat up to 10 times a day, but my calories are still well within my goal.
3) No protein shakes after 3 months. Don't follow this one either as I have 2-3 shakes a day and 3-4 quality protein bars. Due to my metabolism and workout schedule and intensity my protein goals are in the 150+ range which would have me eating all day.
4) Complex carbs only. Yep don't follow this. While I don't eat refined sugar I do eat fruits (love me some bananas before and after a run). Before long runs I will eat Baked potato, pizza after a morning run I will have a bagel or english muffin. It's all about the glycogen!
Ortho Docs & Physical Therapist (Yes I have 2 ortho I specializes in knee the other in shoulder)
1) Knee doc says to ease up on the running. Ummm yeah I ran 8 miles the day after he said this and have 10-12 planned for tomorrow.
2) Shoulder doc & PT - Keep the weights light to moderate and do high reps. Ummm No I go as heavy as I can and do low reps.
3) Both say Take 4-8 weeks off from training. Ummm no again I have things to do and goals to meet. When I first saw the Ortho for my knee I told him straight out "I have a Half Marathon in 2 days and I am doing it regardless of what you say". Nothing kills yur spirit like having trained for months for something only to not do it. I regret this for my Tri earlier this year.
The one thing that my Surgeon, my NUT and support group leaders tell me to do that I follow 100% is ENJOY MY LIFE!
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
I use Detour bars and get them in bulk at Costco or BJs. Sometimes I will buy Supreme protein from GNC by the case.
I don't reccomend supplementing unless you absolutely have to. There is a reason most protein bars resemble candy bars so it can be a slippery slope to go down.
I don't reccomend supplementing unless you absolutely have to. There is a reason most protein bars resemble candy bars so it can be a slippery slope to go down.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
I have four rules:
Protein first, always
AT LEAST 64 oz of water, but not within an hour after my meals (personal rule, standard is 30 minutes but as you get further out appetite control becomes more of an issue)
VITAMINS!!!
MOVE YER ASS!!!
Everything else is subject to interpretation. But I can say the following:
- I don't eat much crap because crap doesn't make me feel good, physically or mentally. I deserve to feel good therefore I stay away from crap most of the time.
-I am LEARNING not to overeat or eat just for the sake of eating. By paying attention to myself I know that when I zone out when eating, I am feeding that "other" hunger and I try to snap back to attention and walk away!
- Your rules and mine aren't going to be the same. Your results and mine aren't going to be the same. I was 100% compliant my first year and a half and my lowest weight was 178. I saw people who "cheated" get to 120, 130...so we don't all share the same process, which leads me to the fact that...
While it may feel good to know others "break the rules" the ONLY rules that are important are those you set for yourself. And those SHOULD look more like standards of living. If your process is going well and you are progressing you should begin to think to yourself (pardon my french) "I'm too good for that **** My body/mind/spirit is too precious to associate with all that crap food/thinking I was doing before!"
I know this is hard to understand early out, but there is no universal "cheating." There IS, however, something called "cheating yourself" - out of the chance to be healthy, happy and successful.
So set your rules then follow them. Some of them may be the same as your surgeon's, some may be different (because you know what works for you). And then follow YOUR rules. You'll thank yourself later.
Protein first, always
AT LEAST 64 oz of water, but not within an hour after my meals (personal rule, standard is 30 minutes but as you get further out appetite control becomes more of an issue)
VITAMINS!!!
MOVE YER ASS!!!
Everything else is subject to interpretation. But I can say the following:
- I don't eat much crap because crap doesn't make me feel good, physically or mentally. I deserve to feel good therefore I stay away from crap most of the time.
-I am LEARNING not to overeat or eat just for the sake of eating. By paying attention to myself I know that when I zone out when eating, I am feeding that "other" hunger and I try to snap back to attention and walk away!
- Your rules and mine aren't going to be the same. Your results and mine aren't going to be the same. I was 100% compliant my first year and a half and my lowest weight was 178. I saw people who "cheated" get to 120, 130...so we don't all share the same process, which leads me to the fact that...
While it may feel good to know others "break the rules" the ONLY rules that are important are those you set for yourself. And those SHOULD look more like standards of living. If your process is going well and you are progressing you should begin to think to yourself (pardon my french) "I'm too good for that **** My body/mind/spirit is too precious to associate with all that crap food/thinking I was doing before!"
I know this is hard to understand early out, but there is no universal "cheating." There IS, however, something called "cheating yourself" - out of the chance to be healthy, happy and successful.
So set your rules then follow them. Some of them may be the same as your surgeon's, some may be different (because you know what works for you). And then follow YOUR rules. You'll thank yourself later.
I've never eaten two big spoonfuls of sugar, and I'm almost eight months out. I don't crave sugar the way I used to - pretty happy with eating a couple of squares of dark chocolate every now and then.
I followed every rule for the first six months with very few slip ups - I was simply to invested in the surgery and life change mindwise and moneywise to do otherwise, lol. But lately I have upped my calories because I am exercising and strength training more, and feeling true hunger - which is odd because I haven't felt it in years. I ate so much before the surgery that my hunger was always stifled.
What I've learned is less is more. Always. Unless you are talking about exercise or money. I've tried bites of things over the past few months but have no desire to sit down and polish off a plate of anything and feel miserably full. I've had days where I don't meet my protein and I've had weekends where I don't track my food. I've had alcohol on numerous occasions and contrary to everyone here, it doesn't affect me any differently than it ever did. But I'm not drinking it four nights a week like I used to and that is awesome.
In that respect, this surgery has served me better than any diet I have EVER been on. Just by letting me relearn portion control by controlling it FOR me. That is what I needed. A break from a habit, and it gave me that. I don't have any false illusions about where I could end up because I've seen other people regain their weight, but I think I've changed things in my mind regarding food and exercise so I don't have to worry about that.
Whew, didn't mean to get on a soapbox. But that is how I feel about it!
I followed every rule for the first six months with very few slip ups - I was simply to invested in the surgery and life change mindwise and moneywise to do otherwise, lol. But lately I have upped my calories because I am exercising and strength training more, and feeling true hunger - which is odd because I haven't felt it in years. I ate so much before the surgery that my hunger was always stifled.
What I've learned is less is more. Always. Unless you are talking about exercise or money. I've tried bites of things over the past few months but have no desire to sit down and polish off a plate of anything and feel miserably full. I've had days where I don't meet my protein and I've had weekends where I don't track my food. I've had alcohol on numerous occasions and contrary to everyone here, it doesn't affect me any differently than it ever did. But I'm not drinking it four nights a week like I used to and that is awesome.
In that respect, this surgery has served me better than any diet I have EVER been on. Just by letting me relearn portion control by controlling it FOR me. That is what I needed. A break from a habit, and it gave me that. I don't have any false illusions about where I could end up because I've seen other people regain their weight, but I think I've changed things in my mind regarding food and exercise so I don't have to worry about that.
Whew, didn't mean to get on a soapbox. But that is how I feel about it!
I agree with Kelly and Nik. I follow my rules, what I know I can live with. I did follow my programs rules for the first several months but to me anyway they didn't seem clear for the long term.
My rules are:
No sugar
avoid refined carbs
nothing with wheat (I am eating gluten free now and it feels good)
no unplanned snacking, grazing, impulsive bites while I am cooking
I try to make everything as protein forward as possible
I don't drink for at least 30 minutes after I eat and I don't drink when I am eating
I always take my supplements (I am about 99% there, once in a while I get behind on my calcium but most of the time I get it all in).
I like my rules because I can live with them and I have been living with them for about 15 months now. It is like giving a child boundaries. It gives a sense of security knowing what my limits are. I needed WLS because I was very undisciplined in my eating. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, as much as I wanted. I needed to learn discipline and to do that I needed guidelines I could live with.
Will I always do what I am doing? I don't know. Obviously I haven't in the past or I wouldn't be here right now but I just take it one day at a time. Everything is subject to change. Along with discipline I need flexability, too. I have to be willing to admit when something isn't working, even if it worked before. I keep an open mind and I am willing to learn but I am not willing to take risks with my health any more.
My rules are:
No sugar
avoid refined carbs
nothing with wheat (I am eating gluten free now and it feels good)
no unplanned snacking, grazing, impulsive bites while I am cooking
I try to make everything as protein forward as possible
I don't drink for at least 30 minutes after I eat and I don't drink when I am eating
I always take my supplements (I am about 99% there, once in a while I get behind on my calcium but most of the time I get it all in).
I like my rules because I can live with them and I have been living with them for about 15 months now. It is like giving a child boundaries. It gives a sense of security knowing what my limits are. I needed WLS because I was very undisciplined in my eating. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, as much as I wanted. I needed to learn discipline and to do that I needed guidelines I could live with.
Will I always do what I am doing? I don't know. Obviously I haven't in the past or I wouldn't be here right now but I just take it one day at a time. Everything is subject to change. Along with discipline I need flexability, too. I have to be willing to admit when something isn't working, even if it worked before. I keep an open mind and I am willing to learn but I am not willing to take risks with my health any more.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
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