Pre-surgery diet is kicking my butt
What are they requiring that you do. Is it a 6 month supervised diet? My daughter gained on her 6 month and it just verified she doesn't do well and was approved. I lost on mine the second time and was almost not approved because I did to well.
I did Atkins for mine and I wasn't ever hungry. As long as I didn't give in to the carb monster, I was OK.
One step at a time........
I don't know how long a period of time you have to achieve certain goals, but what ever that time frame is, start with some little things. My Nutrisionist gave me some great ideas that I have been doing and I haven't minded at all. Switch Potato with sweet potato or squash! Portion control! She gave me a list of portion sizes. For instance a portion of Pasta, 1 serving size is 3 ozs.......... Really??? She said not to worry about that, just take the normal portion size, and the portion that I would normally take and meet in the middle somewhere. When you go out to eat, order a to go box with the meal. When it comes, take 1/2 of your meal and put it in the to go box, eat the other half. Get rid of the stuff we know is bad, fried foods, soda, caffiene etc....... Again, don't do all of these today. Every week, add a new goal to your list. We started with cutting the "Anything White" thing with a few exceptions (Cauliflower for instance). Slowing down our eating. Actually setting the fork or spoon down between bites!
I was amazed at how many bad habits that we had, and by cutting some out little by little has made a difference already. Overall, it should make the transition to 4 ounce meals a little easier.
Determination will get you there! Keep up the good work.
on 5/22/14 4:59 am
It's much easier after surgery.
The few weeks leading up to surgery and the few weeks after will end up being just a tiny blip in your life. You'll hardly remember them at all.
I lost over 60lbs in the three or so months before surgery (and that included a "pause" in weight loss for about 3 weeks). What helped me the most was eliminating all white carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar) and all processed foods. I stuck to a well-balanced whole foods diet that was protein forward. I can only remember feeling hungry twice and that was because I waited too long between meals.
Maybe you would be better off having smaller meals but adding in a snack or two? I find that I need an afternoon snack on most days. Both before and after surgery.
Yes, there is definitely hope! Especially if you start forming new, healthier habits now.
My nut wanted me to practice a couple behaviors she wants me to use after surgery. I only did it for a month, but she said I could eat whatever I wanted (it had to include protein and a fruit or veg), I had to stop drinking 30 min before a meal or snack, not drink for 30 min after I ate (I used a timer on my phone), eat at a table w/o tv/computer (I mostly did this), and chew my food to mush 30-45 times. I immediately couldn't eat the same volume I had been eating a day earlier. Surprisingly I wasn't as hungry as I thought. Also, when I was hungry, the chewing/no drinking left me more satisfied. That being said I was glad when my month was up and I had 'proven" I could follow these skills. Also, the month prior she had me cook everything - no fast food, frozen dinners, or boxed food (crackers, chips, mac n cheese, raw potatoes vs boxed) - that was harder than the water/chewing. She did't ask me to lose weight, but I knew that was what she wanted and I ended up dropping about 12 lbs just using those behaviors.
My nut wanted me to practice a couple behaviors she wants me to use after surgery. I only did it for a month, but she said I could eat whatever I wanted (it had to include protein and a fruit or veg), I had to stop drinking 30 min before a meal or snack, not drink for 30 min after I ate (I used a timer on my phone), eat at a table w/o tv/computer (I mostly did this), and chew my food to mush 30-45 times. I immediately couldn't eat the same volume I had been eating a day earlier. Surprisingly I wasn't as hungry as I thought. Also, when I was hungry, the chewing/no drinking left me more satisfied. That being said I was glad when my month was up and I had 'proven" I could follow these skills. Also, the month prior she had me cook everything - no fast food, frozen dinners, or boxed food (crackers, chips, mac n cheese, raw potatoes vs boxed) - that was harder than the water/chewing. She did't ask me to lose weight, but I knew that was what she wanted and I ended up dropping about 12 lbs just using those behaviors.