It is funny how your focus changes. During the weight loss period, I stayed away from carbs to maximize the weight loss. Now that I have hit my weight loss goal, my focus has turned to building more muscle. It was very hard for me to just go from very few carbs to "carbing up" before and after a workout. I do this before my workouts to give me the energy to prolong my workouts and give me the few extra reps for lifting. I have always had a protein drink after my workouts to help build muscle but I have found, that is not enough. I needed to increase my carbs so I do not lose lean muscle while burning calories. You want to lose fat, not muscle so it is better to use the carbs for energy and it makes a huge difference.
The sleeve has given me the fantastic restriction that keeps my meal portions under control, it is just as tight now as a month after surgery. I do not even have to think about food choices any more, I only eat what has nutritional value. Everyone who knows me knew my favorite food was steak and potatoes ( just one of the reasons I needed the surgery). I might have this meal once a month now and only about 4 oz of it.
When you work out at the gym as hard as I do, you do not want to eat BAD calories, it is not worth it. You can work your butt off for an hour and burn 400 calories, you eat a donut and all that work was for nothing. That is what keeps me motivated.
What I tell my patients is the Sleeve is just a tool, a wonderful tool. You still have to make smart choices and excercise. It kills me when a patient asks me when they can smoke or drink after surgery. I guess it is hard for me to understand why someone would go through this surgery and then not try to become healthy as possible. It has given me a second lease on life. I have told many people, my only regret is that I did not have this surgery years ago.
After I do lifting, I tend to enjoy a chocolate banana smoothie at Starbucks. As ordered, it has 17 grams protein and 50grams carbs. I sometimes get 3-4 scoops protein (normally has 2 scoops and they have 6 grams protein each, the rest of the count is from the milk). So with 3 scoops you have an additional 6grams protein clocking in at 23 grams, 4 scoops at 29 grams. But you will still get all the carbs - some are from the milk and powder but most are from the banana. I order mine with soy milk because often the bananas aren't that ripe and it sweetens it.
ReplyDeleteI find that when I drink this after lifting I feel INCREDIBLE! Like I have given my body exactly what I need. Just thought I would offer that up in case you might like to try it.
Also... I can't believe your stomach is still that small after all this time. 4oz. wow. I have been pretty diligent and careful all along, being sure not to be too full etc but my stomach can accommodate 8-10oz. I'm almost 2 yrs post op.
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ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hailey