What's Your Rhythm?

Over at the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood in WLS Chat we have been talking about the 2B1B Rhythm. Do you know what that is? It is a method of counting food bites to make sure you get 66% protein and 33% complex carbohydrates. With the 2B1B Rhythm it is assumed that one has made a low-fat selection food choice and that processed or "white" carbs are not on the plate.

Our Ambassador of Reception "N A" was first to identify the acronym as 2 Bites Protein; 1 Bite Carbs. The conversation has continued as others have identified their own rhythms. Celadon said, "This is the first time I have seen this thread. I am more of a 3B1B person but I just really feel like I still need the protein more. Silly stuff tends to keep us focused now doesn't it?"

I added, I'm loving the 2B1B Rhythm conversation!!! And it looks like we all have rhythm - - - just different rhythms. Honestly, I've found the 2B1B Rhythm to be less intimidating and more user friendly than calorie counting or clock watching or any of the other gimmicks I have employed in weight loss/weight maintenance efforts.

Ahhhh, but with any good rhythm, one must listen for the ending notes. The final curtain call. The last fork standing.

What is the curtain call on your personal fork dance? Click to learn how the Neighbors are dancing to the rhythm of the fork!

Randy Jackson Diet Book Coming Soon!

Randy Jackson

As reported in OK Magazine Randy Jackson, who had gastric bypass in 2003 and lost 150 pounds, announced the forthcoming publication of his own diet book, "The No-Nonsense Guide to Getting Fit, Eating Better, and Living Longer" due out in November.

Jackson 51, who announced this year that he has Type II diabetes, says he has tried every diet under the Sun, and he swears that his new approach holds the key to the "new you".

In the diet blog community this publication is being met with great skepticism. At Diet Blog Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese says, "If you were looking for an ambassador for healthy living, you might not make a beeline for Randy Jackson." The comments are even more critical. Gwendolyn writes, "I'm sorry, someone who failed at life and had to get a gastric bypass and is **still fat** should never ever write anything about dieting and nutrition."

I don't know Mr. Jackson personally, but I do know that weight loss and weight maintenance is a challenge with or without surgical weight loss. Mr. Jackson is not the first person to struggle with weight control after gastric bypass and he will not be the last. I say kudos to the man! I hope his book makes real the struggles with weight control and healthy living. I hope it inspires others who may have struggled with weight control after surgical weight loss.

Take a look at the 5 Day Pouch Test message board in the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood - Randy Jackson is not the only person who still struggles with weight control after a surgical weight loss procedure.

Best to you Randy Jackson. I wish you splendid success with your forthcoming book and look forward to reading it.

What are your thoughts? Is Randy Jackson a qualified authority to write about fitness, diet and longevity?

And for those struggling with weight regain after weight loss surgery: Please visit the 5 Day Pouch Test website and learn a way to take control of your surgical tool.

Woman Loses 100#s with 5 Day Pouch Test

5 Day Pouch Test Ambassador Gretchen
100 Pounds Lost with the 5DPT and Day 6

5 Day Pouch Test Homepage

It has been nearly a year since I first introduced the 5 Day Pouch Test to our LivingAfterWLS community and what a phenomena it is. In today's Bulletin you will read about Gretchen who has lost 100 pounds since doing the 5DPT last September. You will learn from her that there is always hope and grit determination goes a long way to help us reach our goals. Gretchen, our 5 Day Pouch Test Ambassador has lost a whopping 100 pounds in just 9 months. Read her own words:

"I did it - I've lost 100 pounds on the 5DPT and Day 6 Eating Plan !
It took me about 9 months - not bad, being 6 years post-op.
Kaye, how can I ever thank you enough ???
And to all the Neighbors who have put up with me since September, I
thank you all, too. I couldn't have done it without you.

How have I done it ???????

I've followed the 4 Rules,
I've listened to others.
I've been honest with myself and my Neighbors.
I've asked for help when I needed it.
I've followed the 5DPT and Day 6 Plan to the best of my ability,
and I've put my faith in these 2 plans.
I've shared what I've learned with others.
I've had FUN along the way!

Thank you everyone, for being a part of this."

Read the full conversation in the Neighborhood

As the 5DPT has become somewhat a "cult phenomena" in the surgical weight loss world I've noticed two things: one was predictable the other was a pleasant surprise. The first thing I've noticed is most people do the 5DPT beginning on Monday and concluding on Friday. Makes sense as most of us lead structured lives M-F and the 5DPT is about structure. The second thing that awes me is the spirit of collaboration and community in the Neighborhood when one person invites another to join them in the 5DPT ride. This spontaneous and sincere bonding has resulted in great results for many, but more importantly genuine friendships are formed. Please visit the 5 Day Pouch Test Message Board: anyone who is struggling with a weight regain or weight loss stall will surely find support and comfort knowing they are not alone.

Read what Gina "Montana Girl" wrote:

I have to tell you (through teary, blurred vision) that this 5dpt saved my life. I thought I was the only person to have ever regained. I was so depressed I was not a good mom, wife or friend. I was spiralling into oblivion with my weight gain.
I can never repay you for the valuable lessons I have learned while in your neighborhood, for the 5dpt that helped me regain control over my mind and body. I did the 5dpt 2 months ago to the day and I've gone on to lose 27 pounds on "day 6". Again, crying, you are my hero, a goddess. Honestly. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Visit the 5 Day Pouch Test Message Board Today!

Red Lion Inn Smoked Salmon

More Fish & Seafood

Our Recipe of the Week yesterday featured terrific appetizers for outdoor picnics and parties. Summer is time for casual entertaining using fresh ingredients and easy preparation. Here is another healthy appetizer to enjoy when you are outdoor entertaining.

Learn about the nutritional value of fish protein

Red Lion Inn Smoked Salmon
This is a quick and showy appetizer adapted from the Red Lion Inn Cookbook. The sour cream mixture is particularly refreshing in the heat of Summer. Pre-sliced cocktail pumpernickel bread is available in most supermarkets near the deli counter. It is a good source of B-Vitamins and fiber and tastes great with the salmon and spread.

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
8 teaspoons coarse grain mustard
4 teaspoons fresh dill (chopped)
1 small red onions (sliced very thin)
4 teaspoons capers
8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon (about 8 slices)
pumpernickel cocktail bread

Directions:
In a small mixing bowl combine the sour cream, coarse grain mustard and dill.

On a large tray place the bread slices in a single layer. Coat each slice with about 1 teaspoon of the sour cream mixture. Top with a few onion slices and then a piece of smoked salmon. Add a small dollop of the cream mixture to the top and garnish with the capers and more fresh dill if desired.

Serves 16 - two appetizers each. Per serving: 90 calories, 5 grams protein, 4 grams fat (2 saturated), 9 grams carbohydrate 1 gram dietary fiber.

Refresher course: 4 Rules for Weight Loss Surgery Success

New Vitamin Bundle at Bariceuticals

Silvia Demeter, our friend and founder of the made-just-for-us Bariceuticals™ liquid vitamins has put together a new product bundle. Called "Cathy's Choice" the kit includes a 30 Day Supply of our famous liquid multi-vitamins and our pharmaceutical grade sublingual B-12 complex spray. You will also receive 30 day supply of our exclusive iron tabs. In this kit you will so receive a free sample of total protein. This is affordable priced at just $99 for the months supply.

Bariceuticals™ vitamins have been specifically formulated to be absorbed by surgical weight loss patients. Silvia tells us, "Our patent pending Bariceuticals™ are the only complete liquid nutritional supplementation system that is completely formulated ingredient by ingredient to target the unique absorption needs of bariatric patients. With this system you will consume only the ingredients that the body is lacking, or will lack shortly after surgery. We do not use unnecessary ingredients that can bind together or cancel each other out, thus causing a void of nutrients."

When we undergo weight loss surgery we are told that our bodies will not absorb vitamins and nutrients the same way as one without surgery. Many people opt to take inexpensive multi-vitamins and often they report feeling weary, lifeless, sad and unenergized. That is because they are nutrient deficient. Silvia says, "The liquid format of Bariceuticals™ has an absorption rate of 80 to 90% in the upper intestine where nutrients are most readily absorbed. Our goal is to educate you, our consumer, on Bariceuticals™. We know that an educated bariatric patient is our best customer."

Learn more Facts

Silvia is genuinely concerned about our best health after WLS and she easily recalls the days and months following her own surgical weight loss when she felt lethargic and lifeless. That is how she came to be the founder of this quality nutritional supplement: she herself wanted to feel better. She says, "We at Bariceuticals™ want nothing more than for you to absolutely love the new you. You deserve to feel and look great. To that end we ask you to give Bariceuticals™ a two to three week trial period. You will feel a difference, in a week’s time. If your body is extremely deficient your trial phase may take two weeks. At the end of your trial phase, if you don't absolutely love Bariceuticals™, please return the unused portion for a full refund - including shipping cost. We are that confident that you will embrace Bariceuticals™."

Read some product Testimonials

Sugar Tolerance: Does it Change

Over at the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood we had a great question from our Neighbor Paula. She wants to know if our tolerance for sugar can change with the 5 Day Pouch Test. Take a look:

Question from Paula:
"Before the 5DPT, I could eat almost anything and not have a problem. (Which is where part of my problem came in and why I did the 5dpt.) The other night I ate a graham cracker with some peanut butter . . . . . and DUMP AWAY. Boy, was I sick. Is it common for your body to go back to not tolerating any sugar?"

My Answer:
As for the dumping!! Glad you experienced that -- and I don't mean that unkindly. It is just another testiment that once we clean-up our diet our bodies are eager to tell us when we feed it something it doesn't need or want. I receive lots of letters from people who say, "I don't get THE DUMPING anymore" and when we drill down we discover they are feeding their body a steady stream of white carbs which puts the blood sugar in a low-grade dump so it is not noticed. What is noticed is fatigue, cravings and weight gain. So when a person goes from a constant state of low-grade dump through the 5 Day Pouch Test they get out of the processed carb cycle. Like you, if they return to a formerly "safe" food their body does a big booty kick with a serious dump.

So the short answer - Yes it is possible to build a tolerance for sugar, BUT, it is also possible to return to a state of sugar intolerance.

Read the full discussion and learn more about sugar tolerance and intolerance.

31 New Recipes for LivingAfterWLS

Have you visited the LivingAfterWLS Kitchen lately? We have just added over 30 new recipes for your culinary enjoyment and healthy lifestyle.

At left is our Neighborhood favorite, Parmesan Tuna Patties served with mango. Good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.