Tips and tricks for continued weight loss success

(Note: My patient, Laura Crosbie, who is ever-so-close to reaching her goal weight, generously offered to write down several of the weight loss tools which have helped her lose more than 120 pounds since her gastric bypass in February 2012. Her firsthand information is so useful, I'd like to share it here. Dr. Sowemimo. 4/26/13).

Feeding Frankie

By Laura Crosbie

On June 11th, 2012, I had RNY gastric bypass weight loss surgery and have been trying to care for my little pouch (my surgically reduced stomach) the best I can ever since. I named my pouch Frankengut, “Frankie” for short. It’s this new entity in my house and needs a little extra care and consideration.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”

I have a few little tricks here and there to keep this bypass adventure running smoothly. As I’ve always heard growing up, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This is especially true for eating right. Left without a fall back, we tend to grab the quickest foods and quick rarely means healthy. I always travel with a snack-sized bag of almonds or a Quest protein bar. If I believe I’m getting hungry, I first evaluate whether or not it is even hunger.

I start by drinking some water and waiting approximately 20 minutes to see if this does the trick and it wasn’t just boredom rearing its ugly head. If it is indeed hunger, I’m armed with the tools I need to make a wise choice. I can munch on a few almonds to allow me to think clearly and pick a well-balanced meal or I can even have my Quest protein bar for a convenient on the run breakfast/lunch.

http://www.questproteinbar.com/gclid=CMq1sazM2bYCFccw4AodCQ0A8w

MyFitnessPal is a true pal

I recommend everyone have some sort of nutrition ‘cheat sheet’. I use MyFitnessPal. It is a lifesaving application for smart phone users. It allows me to see the protein (so crucial after weight loss surgery or during any weight loss strategy), calories, and vitamins I am consuming throughout my day. It even offers many nutrition facts for chain restaurant menu items. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

Without a smart phone, you can use your own smarts by steering clear of some key words including fried, crispy, battered, cheesy, and creamy. Pick a restaurant that you know has safer options. Many chains, including Applebee’s and Olive Garden, have lighter options with calorie information.

Stop back here for more resources that are keeping me motivated during my own personal weight loss journey. Hope you found these ideas helpful! Feel free to comment or share your ideas below.

About Laura

In February 2012, weighing 260 pounds, twenty-five-year-old Laura Crosbie was sidelined by type 2 diabetes and difficulty walking due to severe arthritis. Determined to get healthy, her employer, a leading cardiologist, recommended  weight loss surgery for a faster, long-term weight loss solution. Laura has dropped 120 pounds and 10 clothing sizes in about a year.