To Track, or Not to Track

[mwenstad]

Hello Everyone,
I have been reading up on emotional issues after surgery, and several books have said it is very important to record everything you eat and track your meals. I hate doing this, have always had a hard time with it. Having used all types of tracking devices, I have yet to find one I will stick with. I was hoping the sleeve would eliminate this need. What is your habit? Do you find tracking helpful? Do you keep up with it? I think it is partly my stubborn personality that keeps me from doing it????

Thanks for your feedback.

Marci

[GigiUSA]

I know that it is my stubbornness but I am trying really hard to use MyFitnessPal to track what I am eating, if nothing else just to make sure I am getting in my nutrition. It is a challenge but we are worth it xo

[NYCGIRL000]

I track everything on the atkins app Marci. That way you know how much net carbs and protein etc your getting. It's easy once you make it a habit

[RehabNurse]

I'm 2.5 years out and don't track. To me, the practices of tracking, measuring and counting calories are too reminiscent of the dieters' mentality and I refuse to participate.

I maintain my weight in the 118 to 122 pound range via vigorous exercise and eating plenty of food to fuel my activities.

[NYCGIRL000]

Your two yrs out though... For ppl who just had surgery it's extremely important that we get enough protein and not everyone can keep track just by working out and eating alot... Being two months out and two years out are very different so I think for ppl who recently had surgery it's important to track. At two yrs out you can eat alot more then someone who can only get down a few bites which is why it's much much harder to get enough protein right after surgery vs two yrs out. That's just my opinion

[A Fairly Odd Panda]

Hi there! o/ I use My Fitness Pal app. It's very easy to use and the database is huge. Plus it has a built-in bar scan tool you can use with your phone! That makes food items very easy. Just *blip* the bar code and tell the app how much you ate or are going to eat. Fast and simple. Tracking not only lets me see where I am at nutritionally, but it also holds me accountable for what I put in my body. Tracking can be a little tedious, so I find that if I put my meals in the day before, all I have to do is adjust the quantities based on what I actually end up eating. Plus, this allows me to not have to make split second decisions about food, which has led to bad decision making, and I just look at my app to see what is next to eat.

[RehabNurse]

Your two yrs out though...

Yep...but I was once two months out, just like you and the rest of the relative newbies.

I haven't tracked or counted calories since having this surgery and I stand by what has worked for me since the beginning of my sleeved journey. Other forum success stories (sraebear, tinman) have also never tracked since day one.

I'm cognizant tracking works for many people, but for me it is a reminder of the dieting mentality.

[NYCGIRL000]

I can understand that. I guess everyone has to do what works for them ��

[Ann2]

A different response ...

I've tracked for nearly 3.5 years. I started 3 months before VSG surgery. And I LOVE it! I think it helps me so much. Here are the benefits I've obtained from tracking:

* I learned that my daily maintenance calorie budget (for my current exercise level of 5 days/week) is 1,725 calories. That makes maintenance relatively easy for me.

* It helps me feel in control -- not guessing and worrying all the time about how I'm doing. As a result, my "eating anxiety levels" are nil.

* MUCH more useful than counting how many calories I ate is the ability to PLAN in the morning what I'm going to eat that day. Again, having an eating plan makes me feel very comfy.

BTW, I track calories and macros (carbs, fats, protein), and I also track fiber because I eat a lot of fibrous veggies and fruits to keep my metabolism burning throughout the day. They also fill me up and keep me from feeling hungry.

One last thought -- I've never, ever been upset about the idea of "dieting" after surgery. I guess I define "diet" as "what I'm eating," not as "what you are allowed to eat and not allowed to eat." I eat everything, especially nutritious food. Over 3 years post-op, I estimate that 80% of my food on any given day is highly nutritious food (lean protein, fibrous veggies and fruits, skim milk, Greek yogurt, full-fat cheese, whole grains (including bread, brown rice, etc.). The other 20% is food that just tastes good, e.g., wine, biscotti, a little sugar in my morning coffee, wedding cake, etc.

P.S. I also weigh every morning and enter my weight in MFP. I do that to stay present and accountable to myself.

[Tamera2]

I have never tracked my food except keeping track in my head how much protein I've eaten. I've turned this into a way of life and the first six weeks I followed my doctors instructions. I learned to eat to nourish my body and look at food completely different. I'm almost 8mos out and still can't eat very much so I always start with protein then veggies. I usually have fruit at snack. By 2 mos you should know what to eat, how much and living an active lifestyle. Good luck and do what ever it takes for you to succeed‼️

[NYCGIRL000]

The great thing about everyone's input is that everyone is doing what works for them and that is what is making them successful. It's great to hear what everyone is doing to be successful!

[Christie13]

Marci...I do not track. Have not tracked at all. I kinda mentally tracked my fluids/protein in the beginning but never wrote it down. That is me, though, and everyone has their own needs. I did not need to track. I do need to weigh daily. My weight tells me what I need to do. So I adjust my eating/exercising accordingly. So if you can stay on track without tracking...I do not see a problem with it.

[NYCGIRL000]

So basically, do what works Marci... There's no rules and regulations.... If tracking helps you, great.. If not, just be mindful of what your eating. This is a life long journey and one size doesn't fit all. Some of us need to track, some of us don't... Do what works for you... As long as you get some exercise and eat healthy, you should do great!

[marion red]

hi tamara, i appreciated your post mostly because it tells me to FOLLOW MY DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS!!! this journey is going to make me accountable in a way like no other plan has ever done. true,it is a lifestyle change....and i hope i can be passionate about the process. the protein importance is stuck in my head and although right now.....4 months prior to the surgery, i am not one to eat 3 meals a day. evening snacking is hard for me. i live alone so you would think it might be easier for me all the way around, but i've yoyo'ed so much all my life-it's like i am accepting a challenge that won't let me turn back. i am 66 y.o. woman, who hopes to have excellent results in beating hbp, diabetes, hchol, depression and anxiety. the weight will be a plus, for sure! living a longer more active life is something i look forward to, also. looking forward to reading more tips on how to adapt to the new me.
thanks so much,
m

[Tamera2]

hi tamara, i appreciated your post mostly because it tells me to FOLLOW MY DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS!!! this journey is going to make me accountable in a way like no other plan has ever done. true,it is a lifestyle change....and i hope i can be passionate about the process. the protein importance is stuck in my head and although right now.....4 months prior to the surgery, i am not one to eat 3 meals a day. evening snacking is hard for me. i live alone so you would think it might be easier for me all the way around, but i've yoyo'ed so much all my life-it's like i am accepting a challenge that won't let me turn back. i am 66 y.o. woman, who hopes to have excellent results in beating hbp, diabetes, hchol, depression and anxiety. the weight will be a plus, for sure! living a longer more active life is something i look forward to, also. looking forward to reading more tips on how to adapt to the new me.
thanks so much,
m

Hi Marion, I think it will get easier after surgery to eat three small meals and two snacks a day. Meal planning and prepping as helped me also to eat this way. When you start loosing weight you will start to feel better and when your health improves it becomes easier also. You can do this!! Best thing I ever did. I know longer have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea. I'm off the bi-pap & oxygen,five medications. I have delt with depression/anxiety. I worked with a counselor for Two years before the surgery. I feel a million times better!!!! No longer feeling depressed. The weightloss has helped turn that around too. I also have CHF, dx at 40, surgical hypothyroidism, addison's disease( My Endocrinologist couldn't believe I was able to loose so much weight on my hydrocortisone levels) I also have MS and trigeminal neuralgia. Thankfully my meds have kept me stable and my weightloss and exercise have also improved many of my conditions too. If you have any questions i'm happy to answer if I can