Moving to a plant based diet ... transition phase!

[TheHaitian]

Aug 17, 2020 21:42:22 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I am going to address the elephant in the room, TheHaitian.  No one else is saying it, but if you weigh around 380 pounds (Was that a typo?  Easy to do on a phone), you need to be working with a doctor dealing with extreme obesity.  A "diet" change won't do it.

If you meant 280 pounds, the same advice still holds.  My SIL was a naturally large man who let it go too far.  Gastric bypass and THEN healthy eating changed his life.  It cost about 10k, though.

Not elephant in the room, my dr keeps pushing that also : I am not interested.

And yes at my size my insurance would cover it: still not interested.

And no, not a typo.

[saveinla]

My son weighed at 270 lbs when he was 18. He is 6'3" and did not look like he was too fat.

He stopped eating meat and did intermittent fasting - he would eat only within a set 8 hour period and nothing in between. He has been maintaining his weight at 170 lbs for the past 7 years. He still does not eat meat and is still eating only 2 meals a day. Its not too hard to lose 100 lbs if you set your mind to it.

[countrygirl2]

My husband weighed 300 pounds. He went to work in Africa, no convenience stores, no diet sodas all day, food not very good where he had to eat. But he lost 100 pounds in a year. I doubt he could have ever done it otherwise. A lot of the men took foot lockers of food back everytime they rotated home but he would not. He kept it off for a long time and got up to about 240 again. When I started cutting back for DD, hubs decided to also. So he has lost along with her but he is also very active.  

It's a hard job to lose and maintain the loss. Motivation to do it is number 1.

You have to start somewhere. Lose the weight for your DD, she needs to have her dad around.

[giramomma]

Good job on Day 1. One thing I really like is cauliflower pasta. Doesn't taste all that different, but it does get another veggie in you.

Have you talked to a dietician, especially one that focuses on folks that are pre-diabetic?

Honestly, that's where I would start. And I'm considering that myself, eventually.

I also might try to do some extra careful label reading. If you get flavored almond milk (or whatever non-dairy milk), plus the kind bars, plus the breakfast biscuit, that's a lot of added extra sugars..

[alabamagal]

Good luck. I think it is better to ease into new diet rather than going cold turkey. If you get better sour diet and exercise maybe you can get off the meds.

My DH has type 2 diabetes has had it for 20 years. The met form in will eventually cause kidney issues, DH took it for 15 years, now he had other meds. On the diet side, you really have to watch carbs (pasta potatoes) so be careful on plant based diets that you don’t go overboard on those. We never have potatoes, only small amounts of whole wheat pasta, no extra bread. It makes a big difference.

[bobosensei]

Will you be cutting out alcohol?  I'm not sure how much you drink, but I know the easiest way for me to lose weight is to cut alcohol.  When I drink whatever food I was committing to goes out the window.  And you can replace some of feeling you might need with flavored seltzer water in a nice glass or a cup of hot tea.

[bobosensei]

Here are a few vegan/vegetarian websites I have used in the past.

ohsheglows.com/   I liked the Rad Rainbow Pad Thai ohsheglows.com/2013/07/01/rad-rainbow-raw-pad-thai/  and Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli  ohsheglows.com/2014/10/15/crispy-smashed-potatoes-with-avocado-garlic-aioli/

naturallyella.com/ is vegetarian, but usually has a way to make the recipe vegan if you want.  naturallyella.com/tomatoes-pistachios/ this looked so pretty that I am going to make it today with tomatoes from my garden.  And my favorite recipe from her is naturallyella.com/red-lentils-and-spinach-in-masala-sauce/  making the masala from scratch is key.  You can't get anything jarred that makes it taste as good.

www.101cookbooks.com/ I love the soups this lady has.  Again, mainly vegetarian, but often with a note on how to make vegan.  I like the curry tomato soup with toasted almonds.

If you have a spiralizer I recommend replacing all or some of your pasta with veggies.  I like to put thai peanut sauce on raw cucumber noodles.  And I've used sweet potato and zucchini before that I cooked and topped with tomato based sauces.  I also like to shave carrots and mix them in with a long noodle and top with a sauce.

[Deleted]

Aug 17, 2020 21:48:39 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Aug 17, 2020 21:42:22 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I am going to address the elephant in the room, TheHaitian .  No one else is saying it, but if you weigh around 380 pounds (Was that a typo?  Easy to do on a phone), you need to be working with a doctor dealing with extreme obesity.  A "diet" change won't do it.

If you meant 280 pounds, the same advice still holds.  My SIL was a naturally large man who let it go too far.  Gastric bypass and THEN healthy eating changed his life.  It cost about 10k, though.

Not elephant in the room, my dr keeps pushing that also : I am not interested.

And yes at my size my insurance would cover it: still not interested.

And no, not a typo.

It just dawned on me that you may not understand the phrase "address the elephant in the room."  It wasn't a comment about you per se.  The phrase refers to a topic that everyone is ignoring.  For example, there is an elephant in a room but everyone chats as if there isn't.

[Deleted]

Aug 17, 2020 21:42:22 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I am going to address the elephant in the room, TheHaitian .  No one else is saying it, but if you weigh around 380 pounds (Was that a typo?  Easy to do on a phone), you need to be working with a doctor dealing with extreme obesity.  A "diet" change won't do it.

If you meant 280 pounds, the same advice still holds.  My SIL was a naturally large man who let it go too far.  Gastric bypass and THEN healthy eating changed his life.  It cost about 10k, though.

I weighed 400 when I started and ended up about 250. You can do it without a doctor, but it requires watching what you eat and getting a lot of exercise.

I'd never have bypass surgery. IMHO, most people 400 and below need to modify their diet and exercise. More than that, and perhaps surgery is necessary.

[Lizard Queen]

Gastric bypass should be a last resort, after trying diet and exercise. My friends aunt got one, was no longer supposed to drink through a straw. Was only supposed to eat with a baby spoon--those tiny amounts. Didn't even lose all that much, considering, and she still ended up dying fairly young (early 60's, I think), not too many years after the gastric bypass.

[Deleted]

Actually, my son-in-law got the gastric sleeve, not a bypass.  He's done very well at losing and keeping it off.

[Happy prose]

I don't really understand people who have that surgery. If you got that large, you have a food addiction or some other problem. If you couldn't put down the fork, what makes them think they'll be able to put the fork down after surgery? I think that surgery is a quick fix, but masking the real problem. 

[steph08]

I know two people who have had gastric surgery (not sure if bypass, sleeve, or what). 

One was a college roommate - I am not sure hers was necessary. I think she could have lost a lot with diet and exercise. She has still yo-yo'ed a bit since then. 

One was my BFF's dad who was very obese throughout our childhoods. He had to be dieting and exercising for a specific amount of time before the surgery was okayed. He has done very well since.

[Deleted]

Aug 18, 2020 10:45:38 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I don't really understand people who have that surgery. If you got that large, you have a food addiction or some other problem. If you couldn't put down the fork, what makes them think they'll be able to put the fork down after surgery? I think that surgery is a quick fix, but masking the real problem. 

I don't think by itself weight loss surgery is a cure-all.  There are many unpleasant side effects.

That said, if you are 100 pounds overweight, you are looking at probably a minimum of year (or maybe two) on a highly regulated diet.  And that assumes you lose the healthy 1-2 pounds a week.  Many people plateau somewhere in the middle and losing gets harder and harder.  So the diet has to get even more stringent to work.  Very few people can simply "put the fork down."

Weight loss surgery can jumpstart the process.  You still have to do some of the work, but it makes a difference in some people's lives.

We can be addicted to all sorts of things . . . drinking, drugs, smoking, gaming, gambling, sex, pornography, the internet, etc.  However, food is one of the most difficult addictions because you don't have to ever take another drink or smoke another cigarette.  You do have to eat.  

Anyway, you don't have to understand people who have this type of surgery.  (Disclaimer: I haven't.)  You just have to show some compassion for other people's weaknesses and be glad it isn't one of yours.

[crazycat]

My SIL had the gastric bypass years ago. She was really big before it . She’s managed to keep it all off but she “drank” all her calories for a long time after the surgery . Still does , and according to her 2 teenagers , never actually eats anything . 
🤦‍♀️

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Aug 18, 2020 10:45:38 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I don't really understand people who have that surgery. If you got that large, you have a food addiction or some other problem. If you couldn't put down the fork, what makes them think they'll be able to put the fork down after surgery? I think that surgery is a quick fix, but masking the real problem. 

One of the steps for approval is you have to maintain a healthy diet and I believe even start losing weight to show you are capable/willing to commit to the lifetime commitment the band is.  Not only that it reduces your risk of surgery complications if you can start dropping some of the pounds before going under.

Al Roker has managed to keep it all off. I am sure there are others he's just the one I know off the top of my head.  For some people it's not simple to lose weight.  For some it's a struggle and then there are probably some that have health problems that can't wait the next several years at 1-2 pounds a month to get the weight off.    If getting the band helps them with the process who is anyone else to judge?

[Lizard Queen]

It's not about judging, it's about real risks and complications from the surgery. It's not the easy slam dunk many people seem to have the impression it is.

[chiver78]

a good friend of mine and her husband had the gastric sleeve procedures. previously, she had been exploring opening a cupcake shop and he was a huge beer snob. both of them needed new hobbies, and they stumbled onto Pokemon and Ingress (built on the Pokemon platform, but a different flavor of game) and started walking.....a LOT. she started running and doing 5Ks. she's since completed a handful of half-marathons, and still loves running. I'm not sure what his weight loss # was, but he's definitely at least half the size he was to start. she has lost about 180lbs. it was absolutely a catalyst for both of them. that said, it definitely isn't for everyone. 

Carl - I've wanted to post this, but haven't b/c the company is a little stalled at the moment with supply chain issues. but, I ordered some ramen from a FB ad (I know...) that was actually pretty fucking tasty. Vite Ramen is a plant-based protein-packed dried ramen. right now, they are only selling 12pks of their "Naked Noods" because their supply chain issues were related to the seasonings packets. perfect for making your own recipes, once you get into cooking in this new vegetarian or vegan plan (suggest: make sure you have sesame oil!). I have been working through an order of the chicken flavor, tweaking each time a little differently to figure out what I like best. there is a miso flavor that is vegan, if you want to try that. I don't care for miso, so I can't offer a review on that one. 

[Cookies Galore]

Aug 18, 2020 11:27:22 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Aug 18, 2020 10:45:38 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I don't really understand people who have that surgery. If you got that large, you have a food addiction or some other problem. If you couldn't put down the fork, what makes them think they'll be able to put the fork down after surgery? I think that surgery is a quick fix, but masking the real problem. 

I don't think by itself weight loss surgery is a cure-all.  There are many unpleasant side effects.

That said, if you are 100 pounds overweight, you are looking at probably a minimum of year (or maybe two) on a highly regulated diet.  And that assumes you lose the healthy 1-2 pounds a week.  Many people plateau somewhere in the middle and losing gets harder and harder.  So the diet has to get even more stringent to work.  Very few people can simply "put the fork down."

Weight loss surgery can jumpstart the process.  You still have to do some of the work, but it makes a difference in some people's lives.

We can be addicted to all sorts of things . . . drinking, drugs, smoking, gaming, gambling, sex, pornography, the internet, etc.  However, food is one of the most difficult addictions because you don't have to ever take another drink or smoke another cigarette.  You do have to eat.  

Anyway, you don't have to understand people who have this type of surgery.  (Disclaimer: I haven't.)  You just have to show some compassion for other people's weaknesses and be glad it isn't one of yours.

Just needed some emphasis.

[TheOtherMe]

One of my friends had gastric bypass surgery.  He said there was extensive counseling involved and the psychiatrist had to sign off before it would be done.

He has a myriad of other health issues, but he has kept the weight off.

[Opti]

Aug 18, 2020 13:37:30 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

It's not about judging, it's about real risks and complications from the surgery. It's not the easy slam dunk many people seem to have the impression it is.

Exactly. Some people die from it or get massive infections. I know of someone who had the latter. Took at least three months to clear up.

[pulmonarymd]

Gastric bypass has its place in the management of morbid obesity. Studies show that diets in general do not work long term, and most people gain back all the weight they lose. Yes, I know there are success stories, and I do not need to be inundated with them. But for people with morbid obesity and significant comorbidities, it can be life saving and life changing. It can reverse diabetes, improve hypertension, reverse OSA, and has very favorable long term studies. There are significant operative risks involved. A good program has an extensive preoperative evaluation including seeing a cardiologist, pulmonologist, a sleep study, a dietitian, and a psychiatrist/psychologist. A candidate needs to have lost a predetermined amount of weight.

Just like any medical issue, it is very dependent on the individual. It is not fro everyone. But for a well selected patient group, it can be very helpful. And some of the comments were part of the fat shaming that people with obesity go through, and the stigma they face. Finally, no, I am not obese, and have not had the surgery. I have just been involved with the pre and post-operative care of these patients.

[Deleted]

DH's cousin had a gastric bypass several decades back.  She had to qualify including psych counseling and was successful in modifying her lifestyle to accommodate her restrictions.  She faced a lot of push back from her family who mocked her as "weak" for needing surgery.  She's alive now and some of them aren't.  All I can say on this one.

[countrygirl2]

DD  is only prediabetic and doing well. We went in for a visit today, doc and I want her to lose more weight. at 5'3" and 168 she is still overweight. He added a weight loss drug to her regimen. I give her a shot every 2 weeks, he said make sure she is eating enough! She needs to get closer to 130. We want her weight down for heart, body, cholesterol, etc.  I hope she can get there, but she will need to stay on meds I think to maintain it.  She looks so much better and says she feels better.

Maybe you should contact a diabetic physician to help you? There are good ways to do it out there. 

I wish I could take some of the drugs to lose weight but they conflict with what I'm taking.

[Happy prose]

Aug 18, 2020 17:35:22 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

DD  is only prediabetic and doing well. We went in for a visit today, doc and I want her to lose more weight. at 5'3" and 168 she is still overweight. He added a weight loss drug to her regimen. I give her a shot every 2 weeks, he said make sure she is eating enough! She needs to get closer to 130. We want her weight down for heart, body, cholesterol, etc.  I hope she can get there, but she will need to stay on meds I think to maintain it.  She looks so much better and says she feels better.

Maybe you should contact a diabetic physician to help you? There are good ways to do it out there. 

I wish I could take some of the drugs to lose weight but they conflict with what I'm taking.

Drugs to lose weight, like amphetamines? 

[Happy prose]

Aug 18, 2020 14:15:56 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Aug 18, 2020 11:27:22 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I don't think by itself weight loss surgery is a cure-all.  There are many unpleasant side effects.

That said, if you are 100 pounds overweight, you are looking at probably a minimum of year (or maybe two) on a highly regulated diet.  And that assumes you lose the healthy 1-2 pounds a week.  Many people plateau somewhere in the middle and losing gets harder and harder.  So the diet has to get even more stringent to work.  Very few people can simply "put the fork down."

Weight loss surgery can jumpstart the process.  You still have to do some of the work, but it makes a difference in some people's lives.

We can be addicted to all sorts of things . . . drinking, drugs, smoking, gaming, gambling, sex, pornography, the internet, etc.  However, food is one of the most difficult addictions because you don't have to ever take another drink or smoke another cigarette.  You do have to eat.  

Anyway, you don't have to understand people who have this type of surgery.  (Disclaimer: I haven't.)  You just have to show some compassion for other people's weaknesses and be glad it isn't one of yours.

Just needed some emphasis.

Why, did I sound un compassionate? 

[Deleted]

Aug 18, 2020 18:42:03 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Aug 18, 2020 14:15:56 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Just needed some emphasis.

Why, did I sound un compassionate? 

This wasn't addressed to me, but I will answer.  Maybe.  As in the sense when people say to depressed people, "Just choose to be happy" or words to that effect.  I have made stupid comments about that.

But it it isn't the opposite of compassion.  It is more like you just don't know or whatever.  Not mean-spirited but not really sympathetic.

[pulmonarymd]

Aug 18, 2020 18:36:36 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Aug 18, 2020 17:35:22 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

DD  is only prediabetic and doing well. We went in for a visit today, doc and I want her to lose more weight. at 5'3" and 168 she is still overweight. He added a weight loss drug to her regimen. I give her a shot every 2 weeks, he said make sure she is eating enough! She needs to get closer to 130. We want her weight down for heart, body, cholesterol, etc.  I hope she can get there, but she will need to stay on meds I think to maintain it.  She looks so much better and says she feels better.

Maybe you should contact a diabetic physician to help you? There are good ways to do it out there. 

I wish I could take some of the drugs to lose weight but they conflict with what I'm taking.

Drugs to lose weight, like amphetamines? 

No, there are injectable medications that are used for weight loss in prediabetics, and some medications used off label to help people lose weight like metformin

[Happy prose]

Aug 18, 2020 19:11:15 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Aug 18, 2020 18:42:03 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Why, did I sound un compassionate? 

This wasn't addressed to me, but I will answer.  Maybe.  As in the sense when people say to depressed people, "Just choose to be happy" or words to that effect.  I have made stupid comments about that.

But it it isn't the opposite of compassion.  It is more like you just don't know or whatever.  Not mean-spirited but not really sympathetic.

Exactly, which is why my sentence started with I don't understand...Nor did I say they should just quit eating, i was saying to get that large, there must be an underlying problem. 

[Happy prose]

Aug 18, 2020 19:13:22 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Aug 18, 2020 18:36:36 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Drugs to lose weight, like amphetamines? 

No, there are injectable medications that are used for weight loss in prediabetics, and some medications used off label to help people lose weight like metformin

I never knew that. Would that work for the very obese, as opposed to having that surgery?