After surgery, we are consuming very little carbohydrates. This leads our body to burn fat. This is called nutritional ketosis. It is the same principle for weight loss during phase 1 of Atkins and South Beach Diet.
Ketosis is a metabolic process that occurs when the body does not have enough glucose for energy. Stored fats are broken down for energy, resulting in a build-up of acids called ketones within the body.
This is not to be confused with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).
What is diabetic ketoacidosis? When a diabetic (usually a Type I diabetic, but sometimes this occurs in very late-stage, insulin-dependent, Type II diabetics) fails to receive enough insulin, they go into an effective state of starvation. While they may have all the glucose in the world in their bloodstream, without insulin, they can’t get any into their cells. Hence, they are effectively going into starvation. The body does what it would do in anyone – it starts to make ketones out of fat and proteins. Here’s the problem: the diabetic patient in this case can’t produce any insulin, so there is no feedback loop and they continue to produce more and more ketones without stopping. By the time ketone levels (specifically, beta-hydroxybutyrate) approach 15 to 25 mM, the resulting pH imbalance leads to profound metabolic derangement and the patient is critically ill.
Source: http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/is-ketosis-dangerous
You can read more at the above web address.
In any case, I've decided to cut my carbs, even though I am allowed to have them, and get my body to re-enter ketosis so that I can burn this fat away. From speaking to people online, I've heard other people's doctor's have told them no bread/carb-y items for the first 6 month or even a year to optimize weight loss. I don't know why my plan allows more carbs, but I am cutting back.
In a non-weight loss surgery world, people are told that they should consume fat and protein with very little carbs. I can no longer tolerate a lot of fat due to the gastric bypass. But I know from personal experience that our bodies still enter ketosis without going over board on the fat. It just might take longer.
From what I read, ketosis can start in as little as 2 days or up to 7 days depending on your carb intake and activity level. I am not going to get a meter to measure, so I will just have to go by my weight loss on if I am being successful.
I used this calculator to figure out what I needed nutrition-wise daily to be in ketosis. The result made me laugh. To use the calculator you need to know your percentage of body fat, for which you can use this calculator, and want to cry, or at least I did.
Calories: 1346
Fat: 119 g
Carbs: 20 g
Protein: 49 g
Due to my malabsorption issues from the RNY, I already know I have to keep my protein between 85 g - 90 g a day. Maybe what I manage to absorb is close to 49 g? I don't know. Carbs at 20 g should be doable. Fat at 119 g, yes well, that is not going to happen. I'm guessing I could consume 45 g to 60 g a day depending on my food choices. But if I consume less than 119 grams that just means I will burn more of my store fat, right? Well, I hope that is how it works.
This is essentially my food plan. More on my other plans later.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Challenge Accepted!
I have been challenged, kind of.
I made a poor food choice on Saturday. My husband made fun of me. He said he only teased me because he knew how depressed I would be when I next stepped on the scale. I told him I would show him.
So, now I need to show him. ha! I can't let him win, but I am already worried about failing.
I could show him by not being depressed tomorrow despite what the scale says. Phbppt. I feel like that is a cop out. I want to step up my game. Make correct choices, not only correct and on plan, but the best choices. I want to exercise multiple times a day. I want to take more steps than he does. But I can't tell him about it, because he will just say of course, I exercised/walked more... he works full time and I don't. Then I will feel guilty.
What do I do? I feel like he will see what I eat, so he will know I am making good food choices. So that is a good option. Also, without bringing up the exercise/walking, I want to tell him the numbers on that scale are going down!
I need a plan. And Action Plan!
Do we believe the studies that say exercising 3 times a day for ten minutes is as beneficial as exercising once for 30 minutes? I would like to. That way I can get in more exercise when I have a little spare time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are going to be the roughest since those are the days I regularly work.
I need to succeed! Failure is not an option! I will put something together today and implement my strategy tomorrow. Time to think.
_____________________________________________________________________
On a semi-related note, I applied for three jobs yesterday. Professional, non-babysitting type jobs that required a cover letter and resume. These are the first jobs I've applied for since January 2006. That is 10 years! Last night, I was giddy with excitement, stayed up until 1AM because I couldn't sleep.
I held two jobs simultaneously between 2006 and 2015, but both jobs were not applied for per se. I heard about the opening, interviewed resume in hand, was hired on the spot. Which feels awesome that my stellar on-paper qualities were recognized instantly. However, it puts a different spin on trying to find a job now. I have anxiety over whether or not I'll be called, and then if I will be picked or rejected, and so forth.
I made a poor food choice on Saturday. My husband made fun of me. He said he only teased me because he knew how depressed I would be when I next stepped on the scale. I told him I would show him.
So, now I need to show him. ha! I can't let him win, but I am already worried about failing.
I could show him by not being depressed tomorrow despite what the scale says. Phbppt. I feel like that is a cop out. I want to step up my game. Make correct choices, not only correct and on plan, but the best choices. I want to exercise multiple times a day. I want to take more steps than he does. But I can't tell him about it, because he will just say of course, I exercised/walked more... he works full time and I don't. Then I will feel guilty.
What do I do? I feel like he will see what I eat, so he will know I am making good food choices. So that is a good option. Also, without bringing up the exercise/walking, I want to tell him the numbers on that scale are going down!
I need a plan. And Action Plan!
Do we believe the studies that say exercising 3 times a day for ten minutes is as beneficial as exercising once for 30 minutes? I would like to. That way I can get in more exercise when I have a little spare time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are going to be the roughest since those are the days I regularly work.
I need to succeed! Failure is not an option! I will put something together today and implement my strategy tomorrow. Time to think.
_____________________________________________________________________
On a semi-related note, I applied for three jobs yesterday. Professional, non-babysitting type jobs that required a cover letter and resume. These are the first jobs I've applied for since January 2006. That is 10 years! Last night, I was giddy with excitement, stayed up until 1AM because I couldn't sleep.
I held two jobs simultaneously between 2006 and 2015, but both jobs were not applied for per se. I heard about the opening, interviewed resume in hand, was hired on the spot. Which feels awesome that my stellar on-paper qualities were recognized instantly. However, it puts a different spin on trying to find a job now. I have anxiety over whether or not I'll be called, and then if I will be picked or rejected, and so forth.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Therapist time?
I have a fear of rejection and a fear of failure. Failure and rejection from the past have scarred me emotionally. I feel like I am a failure. So failure is okay, because that is what I expect from myself. I don't put myself out there socially because I don't want to be rejected. Trying to would just lead to more rejection and failure to succeed at whatever I was putting myself out there for. I can pinpoint past events that have made me feel this way. I know what is going on in my head. No need for a therapist on that account. But maybe I need someone to tell me how to overcome my issues.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Six Month Post-Op Appointment
I had my 6 month post RNY visit on Friday. I'm at 8 months now, but due to the doctor's office, my appointment for the 6 month visit was delayed. I saw my surgeon's PA. (Physician's Assistant).
My official weigh-in for the appointment was 240.5 lbs. It was late afternoon and I was fully clothed, so I've actually lost a little more than that.
She reviewed my labs with me. My calcium is within the normal range, but at the lower end. My Vitamin D is 31 and normal is considered about 30. She said she would recommend taking an additional Vitamin D3 supplement even though there is already Vitamin D in the calcium I take. She said I can take up to an additional 2000 IU per day. She said that if I get my Vitamin D level up it will make absorbing the Calcium I am taking easier for my body and that should go up as well.
My liver and hemoglobin levels are good, though my iron is a little low. It always has been. She didn't recommend taking any additional iron at this time. She did not have the test results for my protein level, but she said she would review it and have someone call me if it was still low.
She asked if I was having any complications (no). She wanted to know if I have pain anywhere (no). She asked if all of my incisions had healed (yes). She asked if there was anything I had a hard time eating. I told her that I had a hard time with beef or pork roast, but could do ground meat of both. She said that was pretty normal and that I should probably avoid the problem foods for now and try reintroducing them again around the year mark.
She wanted to know what I was doing for exercise. I told her that I was mainly walking with an occasional aerobic or swim class at the Y. I told her we had bought a treadmill because I had such a hard time going out in the cold that I knew the only way I would exercise through winter was by staying in.
Then she told me that she thought I was doing really well. She said I am staying on course and my progress is typical of someone who follows the rules. She said that she frequently sees people at their 6 month visit who have stopped exercising and gone back to drinking soda and other things.
I didn't tell her that I had been slacking for the past month with regarding the frequency of my exercise or that I had broken down and eaten some sweets over the Holidays. But I know what I did/am doing wrong and am working to remedy it.
_____________________________________________________________________
Saturday afternoon, I had to go to an After Hours Clinic. I had been having difficulty urinating, though no pain upon urination. I was there was a trace presence of leukocytes in my urine, so they think I am at the beginning of a bladder infection. They won't know for sure for 72 hours it takes to have the lab work done and returned, So I got a prescription for Bactrim. Or rather one was sent directly to my pharmacy.
I went to the pharmacy a half hour before they closed and they still didn't have it. So I waited until just before they closed and double checked. Still no Rx. I called back on Sunday about a half hour after they opened and checked to see if they had received it yet. Nothing. I had to wait until Noon to call the After Hours Clinic. I called and spoke to the NP I saw. She confirmed that it had been sent. And told me to have the pharmacy call her if they still couldn't find it. So I called the pharmacy back. The woman I spoke to doubled checked and told me they didn't have it. I told her to call the Clinic. She said she would and took my number down, she said she would call me back once it was ready for me to pick up.
About 1:15pm I got two calls. One from the pharmacy's automated line telling me my prescription was ready. The other was from the Nurse Practitioner telling me the pharmacy had found my prescription under a pile of papers near the fax machine. So I got my prescription finally!
My official weigh-in for the appointment was 240.5 lbs. It was late afternoon and I was fully clothed, so I've actually lost a little more than that.
She reviewed my labs with me. My calcium is within the normal range, but at the lower end. My Vitamin D is 31 and normal is considered about 30. She said she would recommend taking an additional Vitamin D3 supplement even though there is already Vitamin D in the calcium I take. She said I can take up to an additional 2000 IU per day. She said that if I get my Vitamin D level up it will make absorbing the Calcium I am taking easier for my body and that should go up as well.
My liver and hemoglobin levels are good, though my iron is a little low. It always has been. She didn't recommend taking any additional iron at this time. She did not have the test results for my protein level, but she said she would review it and have someone call me if it was still low.
She asked if I was having any complications (no). She wanted to know if I have pain anywhere (no). She asked if all of my incisions had healed (yes). She asked if there was anything I had a hard time eating. I told her that I had a hard time with beef or pork roast, but could do ground meat of both. She said that was pretty normal and that I should probably avoid the problem foods for now and try reintroducing them again around the year mark.
She wanted to know what I was doing for exercise. I told her that I was mainly walking with an occasional aerobic or swim class at the Y. I told her we had bought a treadmill because I had such a hard time going out in the cold that I knew the only way I would exercise through winter was by staying in.
Then she told me that she thought I was doing really well. She said I am staying on course and my progress is typical of someone who follows the rules. She said that she frequently sees people at their 6 month visit who have stopped exercising and gone back to drinking soda and other things.
I didn't tell her that I had been slacking for the past month with regarding the frequency of my exercise or that I had broken down and eaten some sweets over the Holidays. But I know what I did/am doing wrong and am working to remedy it.
_____________________________________________________________________
Saturday afternoon, I had to go to an After Hours Clinic. I had been having difficulty urinating, though no pain upon urination. I was there was a trace presence of leukocytes in my urine, so they think I am at the beginning of a bladder infection. They won't know for sure for 72 hours it takes to have the lab work done and returned, So I got a prescription for Bactrim. Or rather one was sent directly to my pharmacy.
I went to the pharmacy a half hour before they closed and they still didn't have it. So I waited until just before they closed and double checked. Still no Rx. I called back on Sunday about a half hour after they opened and checked to see if they had received it yet. Nothing. I had to wait until Noon to call the After Hours Clinic. I called and spoke to the NP I saw. She confirmed that it had been sent. And told me to have the pharmacy call her if they still couldn't find it. So I called the pharmacy back. The woman I spoke to doubled checked and told me they didn't have it. I told her to call the Clinic. She said she would and took my number down, she said she would call me back once it was ready for me to pick up.
About 1:15pm I got two calls. One from the pharmacy's automated line telling me my prescription was ready. The other was from the Nurse Practitioner telling me the pharmacy had found my prescription under a pile of papers near the fax machine. So I got my prescription finally!
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Plus Sized Forever
I think I am destined to be plus sized forever. I am not talking about my weight. I mean that due to my body proportions, I will always have to buy plus size clothing.
I started at 361 lbs in a size 36 jeans with a size 4X top.
A year and 120 some pounds later...
I am a 240 lbs and in a size 28 jeans with a size 3X top.
This is utterly depressing. Let's say I reach 154 lbs, that is another 86 lbs to lose. So what? I will maybe be in a size 22 jeans with a size 2X top? I hate my body. I could cry. I wish I had never realized this.
I started at 361 lbs in a size 36 jeans with a size 4X top.
A year and 120 some pounds later...
I am a 240 lbs and in a size 28 jeans with a size 3X top.
This is utterly depressing. Let's say I reach 154 lbs, that is another 86 lbs to lose. So what? I will maybe be in a size 22 jeans with a size 2X top? I hate my body. I could cry. I wish I had never realized this.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
List Review
Work on my Knitting
Make Pizza Pasta Casserole for Church
Late addition:
Friday, January 15, 2016
Lists
I like lists. I frequently make one for myself of things I want to accomplish in the day. If I don't get it all done, there is some disappointment, but I have learned that I over-plan and am not usually realistic in what I can achieve in a day.
But when I do get it all done, I have such a sense of satisfaction. I've accomplished something with my day. Anything is possible!
Today, I would like to accomplish the following:
Shower (of course!)
Laundry (wash/dry/fold/put away)
Towels (ditto)
Walk
Read the Bible
Work on my Knitting
Watch a Movie that has to go back to the library today
Go to the Library
Go to the Grocery store
Go to my Six Month Appt
Go to the Bank
Eat Four Meals
Make Pizza Pasta Casserole for Church
Make Taco Meat for me
Get Cookies out of the Freezer for Church, and not eat any!
Those are just in the order I thought of them. Did I over plan? Probably.
But when I do get it all done, I have such a sense of satisfaction. I've accomplished something with my day. Anything is possible!
Today, I would like to accomplish the following:
Shower (of course!)
Laundry (wash/dry/fold/put away)
Towels (ditto)
Walk
Read the Bible
Work on my Knitting
Watch a Movie that has to go back to the library today
Go to the Library
Go to the Grocery store
Go to my Six Month Appt
Go to the Bank
Eat Four Meals
Make Pizza Pasta Casserole for Church
Make Taco Meat for me
Get Cookies out of the Freezer for Church, and not eat any!
Those are just in the order I thought of them. Did I over plan? Probably.
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