Not a Recommended Method

I hadn't lost weight in FOREVER. In fact, I got up around 220. It was discouraging. Well, almost six weeks ago I tore my meniscus tendon and had knee surgery. Since then, I've lost nine pounds! I don't recommend this weight loss method, but I'm happy with the weight loss. I'm currently at 211.8. I would love to get under 210 again and then keep aiming for that magic 200 lb. barrier.

I'm not sure why I'm losing weight since I'm pretty immobile - although I'm getting more and more active. Here are three things I think contribute.

• Sleep. I never get enough sleep and since getting hurt, I sleep A LOT. The body really does need good sleep.
  
• Even little movements take effort. Walking and doing normal daily activities are hard for me now so I actually get a work out just getting around my house. Plus physical therapy twice a week is a pretty good work out for me right now.
  
• No snacking. When it takes such effort to get to the kitchen and get a snack, it's usually not worth it.

Whatever it is, hopefully it keeps working for a few more pounds.

Merry Christmas!

In a Rut

I'm now at 212 pounds. I've been struggling with diet and exercise. Mostly because my life is so crazy right now. We are moving in a little over a week and lately it's been challenging to have any kind of a routine. I swore I would never get above 210 again, so I'm bummed about that. But I'm on top of it. I'm working to get back down again. I just want to get under 200 stinking pounds!!

Ups and Downs

Well, I am not wild about the pouch reset diet. Two days after I finished the diet, I was back up to 210. So it is definitely not good for weight loss. That being said, I do think it helped shrink my pouch and I definitely get full faster. It also reminded me that I have complete control over what I put in my mouth. It did adjust my mind set. Unfortunately, it did not put me under 200 pounds - dang it!

On the plus side, my blood pressure is fantastic. I'm not taking any blood pressure medication and my numbers are still good.

Jan. 28 - 127/78, 52 bpm

Feb. 3 - 110/71, 73 bpm
Feb. 5 - 114/76, 58 bpm
Feb. 17 - 123/76

So as of now, I only take two prescriptions: magnesium and levothyroxine. The magnesium is for the electrical current in my heart. My body doesn't absorb magnesium because of the surgery. The levothyroxine is because of my hypothyroidism. I will have to take those two for the rest of my life.

In addition, I take a multi-vitamin (it's actually two humongous pills), calcium (three even more humongous pills), vitamin D, and biotin (for hair loss).

Regardless of what I weigh, I feel fantastic. 

Pouch Reset - Days 7-9

Fortunately this diet is called the "pouch reset" and not the "weight loss" diet. When I dropped five pounds the first day, I was really excited that by the end of it I would be under 200 pounds. I'm starting to wonder if that will ever happen. But my pouch is definitely shrinking. I now am extremely full after eating 1/2 cup serving, so the diet has served it's purpose. I am ready for it to be over, but I am excited to have control over my diet again. It has definitely affected my mind set and reminded me of how I should be eating.

Day 7

still 206 lbs. 

(I got down to 204.8 yesterday, but was back up today.)

Here is my diet for the next three days. 

Day 7 to 9 - Soft Foods

Soft cereals – Let your cereal sit in the non-fat milk until it’s soft

Soft vegetables – steam or boil them until they are soft

Soft cheeses – limit these, they are typically high in fat

Ground chicken or beef - add some beef or chicken stock to keep the meat soft

Soups

Scrambled eggs – these are a great source of protein

Soft (steamed) fish - remember to chew well

Canned tuna and salmon (you can add low fat mayo) - great source of protein

Mashed fruit. - bananas, avocados, and canned fruit (watch sugar content)

After that, I just go back to regular healthy eating.

Day 10 and Beyond - Healthy Foods

Introduce these foods slowly and in healthy portions. 

The size of your fist should be the size of an entire meal.

Pouch Reset - Days 4-6

A sampling of my food for the next three days.

I officially hate this diet. Yesterday I had 326 calories in exercise and consumed 740 calories. The day before I had 752 calories in exercise and only consumed 500. And all I have to show for it is a one pound gain. I am ready to throw my scales through the wall. My body is probably in starvation mode so maybe when I add more to the diet, it will make a difference. Who knows? I am looking forward to today because I finally get more variety in my diet.

Day 4

206 lbs.

Here is my diet for the next three days.

Day 4 to 6 - Pureed Foods

Almond milk or coconut milk makes a great protein shake

Hummus

Cottage cheese (low fat)

Soft cereals – Let your cereal sit in the non-fat milk until it’s soft

Soups – no chunks

Scrambled eggs – these are a great source of protein

If you can puree the food, it’s acceptable as long as it’s healthy and easy to digest.

It’s best to stay away from meat at this point.

Again, you are trying to reduce the size of your stomach so no solid foods at this point.

Yesterday I got the results from my latest labs. Everything continues in great shape. I'm a little confused because I thought the main thing we were looking for was an update on my thyroid, but there weren't any thyroid results. There were a lot of numbers, most of which I don't understand, but bottom line is that everything is A-OK. Here are some highlights.

Stats 

• Blood Pressure: 121/78 (last visit 130/80)
• Pulse: 75 
• Cholesterol - 174 mg, normal
• Potassium Level: 3.6 (normal)
• Estimated Average Glucose: 108 (normal, last time 111)
• Glucose: 89 (normal, last time 86)
• AST (liver): 19 (normal, last time 26)
• ALT (liver): 26 (normal, last labs 41)
• eGFR (kidneys): 108 (normal, same as last time)
• Protein: 7.1 (normal)
• Calcium: 8.7 (normal)
• Red Blood Cells: 4.9 (normal - this was high last time)
• Sodium Level: 143 (normal)

I took my last bronchitis pill today, so on Monday I'm going off my blood pressure medicine. (I had to wait because the bronchitis medication can increase blood pressure.) Hopefully all goes well and I won't have to take it anymore.

And on the diet front, I GAINED A FREAKING POUND!! Unbelievable. I'm sure it's just liquid and will come right back off, but even so. I just want to eat a cheeseburger!

Pouch Reset - Day 2

My diet for today and tomorrow.

Well, I guess the agony of yesterday was worth it because I lost 5.4 pounds. That's exactly the kick start I was looking for. Today and tomorrow I am on full liquids, which means they can be a little bit thicker than yesterday.

Day 2

205.2 lbs.

Diet - Full Liquids

Protein powder mixed with a sugar free non-carbonated clear liquid

Sugar free pudding

Soup with soft noodles

Non-fat yogurt

Carnation instant breakfast (sugar free option)

Very thin creamed soups (no chunks)

Sugar free sorbet

Very watery hot oatmeal (check the sugar content)

Diluted, no-sugar added juice

Sugar free, nonfat ice cream

Thinned applesauce

Note: Remember the goal is to not eat or drink anything that is going to stretch the stomach. Eat these in very small amounts and limit intake to very thin/liquid consistency foods.