[mike]

Hey everybody,
I have a very stupid question here, because I know the answer to it. I have been advised by my surgeon to increase my carbs, which most of you know, to maintain my weight because I am at a normal weight right now for my height. I can't bring myself to do it though, because I still have that fear of putting my weight back on. Don't get me wrong here, I have not stopping myself from eating or anything like that, but will not increase them. Right now, I eat until I am full, and that is how I have always done it. NOTHING THERE HAS CHANGED. I just can't bring myself to eat more carbs. WHAT CAN I DO? Like, I said, I know what I have to do, but can't bring myself to do it. I need major help with this little issue of mine. I don't want to start getting sick, or anything. HAS ANYONE ELSE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM?
mike

[ChuppyGirl]

Aaahhh I wish I was in your shoe LOL. well I can see your problem because in the first few weeks I had the same weird request from my surgeon to drink good fluids other than the herbal tea and water because I remember that I was so scared to death that I don't want to put anything to my system I was so panic that if I drink soup or vegi broth that I won't lose as I was suppose to. in fact he asked me to keep a small regular candy in my pocket because it occasionally happed that I blacked out while I was grocery shopping!

I can hear you clearly, if I were you I would have the same fear. hmm I guess the best way to do it is to count now how many gram of carbs are your taking now? and increase 5gm carbs every week (Atkins pre maintenance
phase) I highly recommend that you read how to do it either in Atkins website or maybe South beach diet. It's a matter of trial and error until you reach the carb amount that will maintain your weight not lose anymore.

I guess this question should be to your nutritionist he or she might have a better suggestion. if I were you I would aim for the good carbs and leave anything white like processed flour or pasta or sugar..go for the good nuts and whole wheats, the bulky vegi's like carrots, sweet potatoes..

I hope this would help.
Good luck,
Hanadi

[fr1endly2]

HEY MIKE!
being 18 months out myself and at my doctor and surgeons weight loss goal...i find myslef at a harder point in the journey.....
UNFORTUNATELY for you whom lost so much in such a short time you have to slow it down for your health and well being...looseing to much can be a problem too. IF you add in "SAFE" carbs you should be fine...
iPERHAPS you could look into the atkins diet and see how when people go off induction they add in the good carbs! THERE are many carbs out there that good ones. I know myself i have touched the bad ones and when you mess with them the cravings come for more and more and more.

STICK with the whole grains, fruits and veggies with carbs first.
AND see how that does. AT this point you have to find that right
balance now to maintain your weight being you dont want to loose more.

I know for me 18 months out i can eat far more then a year ago its crazy and not an easy journey. BUT you dont want to get to thin and have to hear the comments from people in which that brings. SO do follow your surgeon and add in good carbs!!!!!!
good luck!
this is the time to make healthy choice and not bad decisions.
ADD at lunch a whole grain bread ....or wrap...
its also better to have your carbs earlier in the day....
then later so perhaps have a slice of whole wheat toast with
your eggs?
I really dont know how your eating really goes....
but add a small multi grain carb or fruit early in the day
to help!
good luck
I didnt have to battle this much as for me when i hit the weight
my weight loss stopped on its own as if this is where my body
is happy. GO figure!
I still want 10 more but it aint happening!

[mike]

I will check that out right away. I don't consider myself to be in mortal danger here, but I am glad that you know where I am coming from. I get dizzy alot lately. I imagine it is because of that because I just had a physcial and I have gotten a clean bill of health. I will check into that though. It is getting to that point now, that I need to do something or I will be in trouble. THANKS MY DEAR FRIEND.
mike

[Pillows]

Mike, how are you doing dear friend? I love and miss ya tons and hope that all is well with you. I think that you will be fine in increasing your good carbs in your diet and even if you do gain a few back, you will still be just as sexy to me....love ya hon.

[DocSanae]

Hi mike, already in the maintenance phase, that's great.

The real battle begins from here, actually, if I may say so.

Your dizziness sounds as if you may be having hypoglycemia--too low blood sugar, which should be avoided.

You need to find the right balance for you. What you need to accept is that from this point, you need to eat to meet the requirements of your present body, and not be deathly afraid of eating. Learn to choose the right food, the right balance, and enjoy and savor every bite you take, not gobble up and push it down as before.

So, here's something I posted earlier today in another thread about carbs.

Now a word about "carbohydrate addiction."
Is it truly carbohydrate addiction, as in, including all carbohydrates--both the the complex ones included as ingredients that occur naturally in food, and the refined ones that have been broken down into simpler sugars that are used as additives to processed food for taste as well as nutrition?
Or is it sugar addiction, craving for the the latter, the refined sugars?

You need to be clear on this, as a lot of food where the main nutrition is carbohydrate, also has a lot of fiber, cellulose, which belongs in the carbohydrate group, which is good for you.
Complex carbohydrates use a lot of energy to be broken down within your body to the forms of simpler sugars needed at that time, so this is good for you.
Refined sugars don't need that extra breakdown, and the leftovers that go unused are easily transformed into fats to be stored for later use, which in your case is not so good.

You need to cut down on the refined sugar, and get the carbohydrates you need (make no mistake, your body does need carbohydrates, and the recommended amount is 130g per day, as your brain cells can utilize only glucose-with an exception under extreme circumstances which shouldn't continue over an extended period of time- for energy and their activities) daily from food whose natural content includes the complex carbohydrates.

My advice is to meet up with your dietitian/nutritionist, have he/she calculate your TEE -- Total Energy Expenditure-- so you know how many calories per day, and have he/she calculate the balance of nutrients as well, and teach you how to keep the balance you need. I also have written an article for the main page of this site, titled How Many Calories Do I Need? Give it a read, and see if there is something you can use as a guideline.

[mike]

Thanks for all the help in this thing I am struggling with. I was told that by an LPN at my job. The part about hypoglycemia. She said that right away. Yah, the maintenanse phase already. It is very scary for me right now, but with all of your help, I should to well. I just keep learning new things as I go along here. It is amazing, but yet a little nerve racking. I think I will talk to my dietician about that though. CUZ, quite honestly, I am lost right now. THANKS DOC, FOR THE ARTICLE. It did help me out a great deal.
mike
p.s. Well, Janae, it's been tough, but doing a little better today. Will fill you in soon. How are you doing? I worry about ya there, girl.