BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition

Rant - Jan’s New Year’s Rant.

I am pleased to offer this first rant of the New Year.

This isn’t so much a rant, as a reiteration of the basics of post-op life, with a little bit of attitude. At the start of the New Year, there are the inevitable resolutions. How long do you keep a resolution? A week? A month? But as post-ops, this change in our lifestyle MUST be an ongoing successful change – a resolution to making better food choices for life. And it starts the very day (or day after) our guts get rearranged or cinched in a band.

So what are the basics? What have we forgotten or have gotten lazy with, or perhaps were never really aware of? Here are a few resolutions that you can incorporate into your every day life as we all take the journey that is 2007. I hope your new year brings you every joy and success that post-op life has to offer.

1) Drink your liquids. I usually say “water”, but really any liquid counts. Even SF popsicles count toward daily intake of fluids and that goal should be 64 oz. daily as our bodies are 70% water.

2) Don’t drink those liquids when you eat. The fluid will push your food out of your pouch too quickly and you won’t enjoy the feeling of satiety or fullness for long. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before starting to drink again.

3) Protein first. Surely you knew this one, right? But how many of us have already snacked on too many treats this past holiday season? How many of us have suddenly woken up one morning to discover that carbs have somehow found their way back into our cupboards? Is it time to Spring Clean your closets again?? “Protein first” may mean dense protein like chicken or eggs or tuna or it may be a delicious protein shake. Have you tried adding vanilla Micellar Milk to your morning coffee yet? “Protein first” infers that something comes second. That would be “good” carbs – veggies and fruits. Stay away from “bad” carbs that only serve to increase your hunger and start the craving for more. Bad carbs include pasta, rice, bread/crackers, potatoes and sugar.

4) Exercise. It’s a known fact that it requires more calories to maintain muscle. If you’re still in the losing mode, exercise will speed along this process (though we know it’s not a race), and will ensure that what’s lost is fat and not muscle. Don’t forget your heart is a muscle and needs to be maintained.

5) Be accountable. Track your intake. In spite of your surgery, its still calories in versus calories expended. Write down what you put in your mouth and count it if you’re having trouble, or need to be sure you’re meeting your protein requirements. Remember that you can out eat your surgery if you graze mindlessly over the course of your day.

6) Take your vitamins. Have regular lab tests. Over 30% of all WLS patients will suffer from anemia at some point, so be sure you’re taking good quality vitamins and supplements and have your blood tested regularly to be sure you’ve got that health you went through all this to achieve!

7) Get support. Have you checked out BeforeAndAfterHelp.com yet? This positive support board is open and available for you whenever you need support. Most people can find a support group in their area, but a monthly meeting isn’t always the most convenient. This message board is open 24/7/365 for you! Take advantage of it and remember the only stupid question is the one not asked.

Did I forget anything? Probably. There are lots of ways to “tweak” your journey and you may have found lots of things that have really helped you. Why not come to the message board and share them with others that could really use your help? See you there!

- Jan