What works for me @ 6 months out.

Someone had asked me to share my "secrets of success" since I'm 6 months out. I don't think there is any big secret about what I do, but I thought I would share anyway in the event that it helps someone! 

So, I'm not going to get into specifics about my plan since there is tons of info about plans already on this board, but if you do have a question about that, feel free to ask. I'm an open book! 

So before I get into this, I want to say that I have made a few mistakes since surgery. I have eaten things I shouldn't have eaten, I have slacked with vites and slacked with exercise from time to time. I have had days that I didn't get enough water and days when I didn't get enough rest. The thing is, instead of loathing myself for the poor choices and saying "screw it", like I have in the past, I tell myself that it's ok, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and move on.  I really believe you have to do that in order to be successful at this. 

Maybe the biggest tool in my arsenal besides my sleeve is Myfitnesspal. I have logged in every single day since just after surgery (including on vacation) and have logged every bite of food. Even the bites I knew I shouldn't have taken. For me it's a fundamental part of my journey. It is really second nature to me now to record my food and exercise and it doesn't feel like work anymore. I actually enjoy it, and the support I have gotten there from all of my MFP friends is priceless. Without my food journal I would feel lost. I would really have no way of evaulating my day, week, month, food-wise. I feel like it's the anchor to my plan. If anyone would like to add me, feel free. I'm MaryContrary80. 

I would say the next major tool for me is having a sleeve friendly home. For the most part, I keep only sleeve-friendly foods in the house. My husband and son do eat whole grains and I have some snacks for my son that I don't eat, but for the most part my kitchen is sleeve-safe. If you look on my food diary, the times I have eaten poorly have been when there are foods in the house that I shouldn't eat.  

I keep breakfast and lunch simple and have fun with dinner.  Basically I know what I'm going to eat for breakfast and lunch. There is always deli meat, cottage cheese, and cheese in the fridge and I always have cans of tuna fish on hand (which I eat a boatload of). Most weeks I make a dozen hard boiled eggs, peel them, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container with a damp paper towel... They keep for a whole week like this.  I also freeze Elina's Green soup in muffin tins and grab 2 discs and heat them in the microwave for a quick lunch. Sometimes I grill some chicken breasts, slice them and have a few slices for lunch, sometimes by themselves or with a little bit of salad. For breakfast I tend to eat eggs, Turkey breakfast sausage, or leftovers.  I usually try to get more creative with dinner. There are tons of great dinner ideas on Pinterest, and lots of websites for low-carbers with fantastic ideas. I try my best to know in advance what I'm going to eat. I find it very helpful to know for example that at 4pm I'm going to have some chicken, and it helps remind me that I'm not going to starve until then. In order to get all of my water in for the day, I drink lots and lots of hot tea, I find it comforting and it keeps me from feeling like I need something to eat. 

Coping skills: Developing new habits and ways of dealing with emotions has been a big part of this journey. I feel like I'm at a place where for the most part I can handle my day to day stresses without food. Most of the time for me all it takes is a hot shower, some cozy clothes, a blanket, my couch, some tea and a book or movie. That is pretty much my remedy for everything! Working out also helps!! 

I'm getting control of other things besides food. I think for me, I have to feel like I'm actively working to get the weight off. I know just sticking to plan will get the weight off, but sometimes my brain needs more evidence that I'm working toward my goal. Exercising, being more active and using myfitnesspal are really how I give myself that extra boost to know that I'm on point and I'm really putting effort in to achieve my goal. 

I make weekly goals: Every week I come up with some goal, sometimes it's a repeat, but I find if I have one thing to really focus on and put my energy into, it makes me quite focused and I do better in general. This week I have an exercise goal of 60 minutes a day every day this week. I like to challenge myself to prove I can do things, and this helps. I try to come up with relatively inexpensive rewards for achieving them. 

So for the most part, that's it. I'm sure there are other things that I do that I just don't think about but I think I hit the major ones! I hope this helps someone!! :) 

 

That is very helpful and you are just doing great! Thanks for generously sharing.

Thanks!! 

Are you living my life?  Reading your post reminds me acutely of what my first six months were all about and makes me tear up a little bit remembering it all.  You are a real inspiration and this journey is going to change you in so many ways.  It only gets better from here.  Hugs

You won't be surprised to read that many of us are actually trying to live your life! LOL! Why reinvent the wheel I say? When what works and is tried and tested is right there...we'd be fools not to take it all in.

Thank you.  I must be extra sensitive today.  You comment made me all warm and fuzzy inside.  :)  

Aww, Elina, you are sweet! To answer your question, Yes! I am living your life (well, I'm trying!)  Many of my strategies have come from you! You have really helped me through this and I appreciate it immensely! 

Excellent !!!

Great strategy and execution !!!

frisco

Thanks Frisco!