Diet or Lifestyle?

[StacyD]

So here we go.... Now that you are post sleeved do you consider yourself on diet or is this a new lifestyle. With that said how do you keep yourself from falling back into the diet mentality?

For myself I have a new lifestyle though sometimes from years of conditioning I fall into the diet mentality. I try often to remind myself that I will not fail - and therefore I know I won't. I remind myself to stay in the lifestyle moment and not fall into the guaranteed to fail diet moments.

So there's my post - I'm just wondering how many out there are living a diet or a new lifestyle.

[Mich-D]

Diets by definition are a short-term reduction. For me this is a lifestyle change. I no longer look at food as my temptress. At this point food is something I have when I need it. It no longer has control over me.

[Angella67]

I am still trying to make myself remember that I now "eat to live" instead of "living to eat". It is hard, but this is a lifestyle change for me and I will not fail!!

[bigiphish41]

total lifestyle change, I have to really make myself eat and if i do indulge, I cant physically eat enough to be where I was

[sociologist]

Trying to avoid the use of the word diet. This is certainly a lifestyle change:-)

[HeathierMe]

I am only 5 weeks post but my mind is set on this being a lifestyle change. I will never and do not want to be able to eat the way I used to. After all that is how I became as large as I did. I also though will not deprive. For Easter weekend for a dessert I had 2 tbsp. of pumpkin pie filling with 1 tbsp. of fat free cream and I was satisfied. I would rather be able to eat fruit right now than junk. I had no chocolate from my girls "stash" and didn't want any. I am beginning my exercise routine. This was never a decision about vanity. I have a 4 and 3 year old and need to be here - to care for them - for as long as I can. This to me was health and life. All the best to all on this journey !

[kenson]

This is definitely a lifestyle change. I think of a diet as something that is temporary. The sleeve is permanent (thank goodness!)

[Little Verbena]

I am not on a diet. I've done those in the past and they didn't work out well. This was a full top to bottom lifestyle change. I changed not only what I eat, when I eat but also how I eat.

[StacyD]

I love hearing these responses. I think for me right now I'm wrapping my head around the head hunger issue. I see a clock and think ok it's lunch time I should eat (even though I'm not hungry) Years of bad habits are gonna take a few more days than the 70 I've already done.
I'm was also a boredom eater - how aweful is that

[Luann]

It's definitely a lifestyle change, but as far as diets go - in my mind a diet isn't necessarily a temporary restriction. It is what you eat. Diabetics need to follow a special diet, and it should be for a lifetime. To me it is both, there are certain things I will never be able to have again. Carbonated drinks, etc. Never been a fan of buffets and with the small amount I can eat - I can't imagine ever setting foot in one again.
I go on cruises as my typical vacation. It will be hard enough to look normal sitting at dinner, having one or two appetizer size plates for my whole meal. Will definitely not go for the premium restaurant again, what a waste of $ that would be.

[Truffles]

Definitely a lifestyle change. However, the change was not overnight for me. I had been changing the quality of food and looking at nutrition for years now, especially with 3 growing, active kids. My issues were quantity and carb-loading, even whole grains.

So, I'm still on the same path that I have been for years, however, the lifestyle change for me has definitely accepting the destructiveness that carbs play in my life. I'm NOT anti-carbs! Just for me. lol

[woodi618]

Remember, diet is a 4 letter word. Use the sleeve as the tool it was intended for. Portion control, eat protein first, veggies second, and fruits 3rd if you have room. If we eat in that order we will be able to eat about anything we ate in the past, just a lot smaller portions. This method has worked for a lot of sleevers. Remember your body will stop loosing when you reach your new set weight. This weight may or may not be where you wanted to stop.

[idigfrstbase]

Agree with all, lifestyle. Lots use the word diet without "being" on a diet. Dr.'s say follow a healthy diet so it is not the all bad four letter "d" word I have come to loath. Hubby laughed when I said "gawd I am stuffed" and I used a baby spoon and had 5 bites of ham salad. Funny right?

[edubb99]

I believe in order to have a sleeve, you have to make a commitment to change your lifestyle and your diet. In order to be successful, you will never look at food the same way again. I don't see myself as being on a "diet", it's more changing my diet in order to alter my lifestyle to make my life better. Of course, there will be times when I will have a few french fries, or a sliver of cake (in the future - I'm a month out) - but I'm altering my lifetstyle and diet to make life better for ME. I feel as though the surgeon gave me the tool and put the power and control back in my hands. You have to find the balance.

[StacyD]

Definitely a lifestyle change. However, the change was not overnight for me. I had been changing the quality of food and looking at nutrition for years now, especially with 3 growing, active kids. My issues were quantity and carb-loading, even whole grains.

So, I'm still on the same path that I have been for years, however, the lifestyle change for me has definitely accepting the destructiveness that carbs play in my life. I'm NOT anti-carbs! Just for me. lol

May I ask - do you eat any carbs?