Most bariatric patients will tell you that there are two things (at least) you need to track daily: water and protein. Of course, bonus points if you count carbs, calories, etc but from day one you are to track your protein and water intake.
The goal for protein in bariatric patients is 60-80 grams per day. The goal for water is 64oz daily. This is what they tell you when you are checking out of the hospital. What they don't tell you is that you won't be doing that on day one.
When I got home from the hospital, I wrote up charts for my daily goals. I had a check box for every 16oz drank (and my water bottle had timed goals), check boxes for drugs to take, and vitamins. Then I had a goal of two 30 gram protein shakes a day. I pushed myself to get there from day one, and I was good with the protein as well as the water. What I didn't realize was my body needed more than 64oz of water.
Now, I take in about 100-120oz of water a day and my goal for protein is 70 grams. This means that after dinner, when I want a little something sweet, I look at my food intake, and that something sweet might be a protein shake. A more intense workout schedule could push this goal up, but sometimes I just end up taking in more protein.
To make the water more effective to my body, I regularly take in electrolytes. I notice on days where I end up not taking in at least 40oz in electrolytes, I feel dryer the next day. I met someone recently who said Himalayan Pink Salt can do the same thing, and I am curious to give it a shot soon.
The advantage to having a husband about to go through this whole thing is what I learned from me, I can apply to him, and pass on if it works.
With his protein and water goals, I'm not going to have check boxes for him. We'll carefully track his intake of water through the day, take note of what cups and bottles he drank out of, and write the amount down on a white board. Then, we'll do the same with protein. Every day, he will try to drink more than the day before.
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