AngieB Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I have been thinking about changing my mind set. For a while now, my life has been focused on food. What to eat, when to eat, how much to eat. How to hide what I am eating...ect. Since I don't have experience to draw from, I am coming here to see if any of you eat only when you are hungry. I am "scheduled" for lunch at noon during the week at work. Sometimes I am not hungry at the set time, other times I am overly hungry. I'd like to operate on the premis of when my stomach growls, I break to eat. I have not been in the practice of actually listening to my body for a long time. My stomach has not growled in hunger because in my obssessiveness, I am feeding it. If it does growl, it is like "oh my goodness!" we need to get some food! LOL I don't want my life to revolve around food. I want to live my life. (such a great topic!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyNewLife Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Angie Thank you so much for this post. I have struggled with this topic as well. TO eat or Not to eat. ...WOW. I feel like if I do eat only when I am hungry, I do not get the calories in. However, if I eat to get the Calories, I feel like I am eating just to be eat. Almost like I am tired of eating! Sounds SO weird to say that but so true! I cant wait to see everyones response! Carrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaAnn Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 AngieThank you so much for this post. I have struggled with this topic as well. TO eat or Not to eat. ...WOW. I feel like if I do eat only when I am hungry, I do not get the calories in. However, if I eat to get the Calories, I feel like I am eating just to be eat. Almost like I am tired of eating! Sounds SO weird to say that but so true! I cant wait to see everyones response! Carrie I never thought I'd say this in my life...but sometimes, once you have good restriction, I feel as though it really is a pain to eat 'cause in this hectic busy day, you've got to find the time and inclination to sit and focus on size and chewing to make sure you get it down in the first place. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry, and I know I can't take the 20 min. I need, I will purposefully drink a protein shake or eat eggs which are things I know will go and stay down with minimal effort. I actually know when it's time for a fill, 'cause when I have really good restriction, I am NEVER hungry and my stomach is quiet. When my fill is loosening (like now, I'm going to the OCC on Thurs.) I get bad hunger pains and I'm really hungry, especially at night. I have to give my third fill credit though, it lasted me 4 months! That's pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney42 Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 OMG! I'm sitting here trying to stall lunch - unsure when I should eat it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 (I had to quickly write this at lunch – I love this topic). I only eat when I’m hungry and at first it was really difficult – I’ve been going to Onvo http://www.onvo.com/ since February to really focus on becoming educated on how to eat, what to eat, and when. With my band food no longer controls me so my goal was to learn as much about it so I could form some sort of control over it, to continue to improve my health and long term maintenance. It’s only my fuel now and often like how I hate to gas up my car, I completely agree it can be a pain to eat. Part of Dr. Mark’s teachings is to only eat when you are hungry, and to be honest with the band that can be difficult, (its heard to know when we are truly hungry) but doable once you learn how to listen to what hunger means to you. And it takes some time to get that. (It’s all trial and error – you have to get to the “I’m really hungry” stage a few times to be able to pick up the cues specific to your body). He says to think of it like gassing up our car; we should only eat when we are on empty and about to run out of gas. I eat very healthy now, only when hungry and I’m in an awesome workout program with Jason at Onvo. I’ve learned to stabilize my weight, I look better and I’m pretty darn lean, but my body looks awesome, I feel great and my hair and skin are better than ever. I think we each need to find out what works best for us, and it took me a while to find this and really commit to it. What I like most about losing weight is when I tell people that I’ve lost over 130 pounds most say that I don’t look like I was ever overweight. That was my goal and I’m thrilled to have reached it. We’re all in this together – and remember, what often works for one person won’t work for everyone –so don’t sweat it if you don’t follow the norm, that’s what makes us unique and so cool! Best, Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BandDiva Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I will tell you this, I stopped my protein shakes because people on here said once you start eating you dont need the empty calories of a shake. Let me tell you, I have felt like CRAP for a week! My normal routine was to have one in the mornings to make sure I start my day with PROTEIN. Even after my morning coffe, and I am NOT hungry but I would still have a shake. I decided I would do what everyone said to do, elimate my protein shakes. Everything that was happening to me during the liquid phase has happened AGAIN doing it this way. Headaches (extreme), dizzyness & nausea. I tried everything, more water, less gatorade, more gatorade and it wasnt until I increased my protein the symptoms stopped--per Dr. Miranda. (after we tried vitamins, water, gatorade etc.) So, I thought now that I am eating normal (what I think is normal) maybe dont need the extra protein. WRONG!!!! I found I do need it or I feel like total crap. So, I am going back to having my shakes even if I am NOT hungry. Some of what we do now is to stay healthy and not pass out since we are eating smaller portions. I eat many times when I am not hungry because I know I need something to sustain myself through the day. (I dont pig out) I think everyone will be different and you have to learn what your body requires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJude Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I agree with Lisa, to eat when you are hungry BUT, I had a hard time doing this at first. So, I just stuck with the same routine of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner BY MEASURING MY FOODS! I totally believe in the portion control and it helped me, still does. When you are new to the band, and learning to eat healthier, it gets all 'mumble jumble' like. I needed to learn everything before I had myself into a regular routine of eating, fitness, sleeping, and just plain living the life I wanted. Now, like Lisa, I eat when I am hungry, and when I do eat, it's healthy and loaded with proteins and nutrients my own body needs for the day. So, as everyone's hunger is different, so will your eating habits. Get to know you and write down when is your hardest time. Then you portion your proteins and nutrients properly, for YOU, throughout the day. With this plan of action, you won't go hungry and you are evened out all the time. There are times right now, after being banded 7 months later, I don't want to physically eat breakfast, lunch or a dinner meal...but I would substitute with a protein shake or do soups with losts of proteins and veggies. I always eat something, as that is how you get your vitamins and minerals, etc. I agree with Lisa when she says not to worry tpp ,uch over this issue, as you will know as you progress into the band world and you will go with the flow...we are all one, with individual uniqueness... Good luck...Jazzy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieB Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 AngieThank you so much for this post. I have struggled with this topic as well. TO eat or Not to eat. ...WOW. I feel like if I do eat only when I am hungry, I do not get the calories in. However, if I eat to get the Calories, I feel like I am eating just to be eat. Almost like I am tired of eating! Sounds SO weird to say that but so true! I cant wait to see everyones response! Carrie Carrie - First I have to say 60 LBS!!! WOW! Congrats! I am hoping the day will come, when I feel tired of eating, or the day when I forget to eat. Those are foreign to me. I will say there have been a few times when I have felt like all this chewing is just to much work. So I am hoping the same chore of eating will evolve with me as well when I have restriction! Oh, and on a side note...I have caught myself being a totally piggy poo when eating my new smaller size portions and bites. LOL I will cut my meat into near pea size bites and catch myself stabbing more than one piece on my fork. (Slow down!) The reason this came to my attention was when I got the ohh feeling in my chest. Like the put the fork down and wait now because you just took 3 bites in one ya dork! I love the changes this band has already made in my life. I am doing the suggested see how much you can get away with not eating. Yesterday, I didn't eat enough for supper and was hungry before bed, which sucked but it is a learing curve for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BandDiva Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Carrie - First I have to say 60 LBS!!! WOW! Congrats! I am hoping the day will come, when I feel tired of eating, or the day when I forget to eat. Those are foreign to me. I will say there have been a few times when I have felt like all this chewing is just to much work. So I am hoping the same chore of eating will evolve with me as well when I have restriction! Oh, and on a side note...I have caught myself being a totally piggy poo when eating my new smaller size portions and bites. LOL I will cut my meat into near pea size bites and catch myself stabbing more than one piece on my fork. (Slow down!) The reason this came to my attention was when I got the ohh feeling in my chest. Like the put the fork down and wait now because you just took 3 bites in one ya dork! I love the changes this band has already made in my life. I am doing the suggested see how much you can get away with not eating. Yesterday, I didn't eat enough for supper and was hungry before bed, which sucked but it is a learing curve for me. Definitely a learning experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyNewLife Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Definitely a learning experience. Yes it is...... I agree with alot of things that Lisa and the others have said, but I think it depends on YOUR body. In my experience when I eat only when I am hungry, I do not seem to loose weight. I am more on the line with Dana. I HAVE to have the protein in the morning or I feel like crap as well and if I dont eat HIGH protien and drink alot of water, I seem to hold on to my weight. Right NOW at this moment..lol (I change so much) I am back to counting my calories, trying to hit 1200 a day (do a high and low day every other day) and get a high intake of PROTEIN. Good Luck! Carrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BandDiva Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Yes it is......I agree with alot of things that Lisa and the others have said, but I think it depends on YOUR body. In my experience when I eat only when I am hungry, I do not seem to loose weight. I am more on the line with Dana. I HAVE to have the protein in the morning or I feel like crap as well and if I dont eat HIGH protien and drink alot of water, I seem to hold on to my weight. Right NOW at this moment..lol (I change so much) I am back to counting my calories, trying to hit 1200 a day (do a high and low day every other day) and get a high intake of PROTEIN. Good Luck! Carrie Carrie! This is exactly what I am doing. lol I am the same way, High protein and lots of water or my weight doesnt budge. I am talking atleast 80 grams of protein a day. I am also going back to counting my calories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finally Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 "I don't want my life to revolve around food. I want to live my life." That says it all for me! I have been on so many diets, been so obsessed about food, food has controlled my life for so many years. to quote another forum member "Food is not my friend!" I really like that statement because it implies a relationship. food really is just fuel! (sometimes it just tastes sooo good!) I can only speak for me. I am attempting to follow the band rules to eat 3 meals a day. In the morning I have found that food gets stuck so I am having a protein shake. With my job I almost never have 20 uninterrupted minutes for lunch (I carry a pager and it beeps most of the day). that being said I am making time to sit down and eat lunch! Protein first, then a complex carb. If I wait till I am too hungry I will be too tempted to eat crap so at this stage of my journey I am not equipped to only eat when I am hungry! maybe if I reach my goal and stay there for awhile (when I finally give away all my different size clothes for good!-of course some of them are quite out of style by now!) It could be a consideration?. :scratch_one-s_head: Good thought provoking question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leahwebster Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 I love this topic! I too was totally afraid to eat just after my surgery and going from liquids to solids! being pre- my first fill I long for the day when I am in control of food and the hunger monster has sunsided. I think that is the "Sweet spot" we all long for. For most of us eating when not hungery is out of habit. but I am one of those protien people who doesnt feel good if I miss my soymilk.... I just need to get my water level up there. This is grat to talk about hunger control, who has who! good luck everyone! Good Night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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