I was able to lose a fair amount of weight (18% of my body weight) about 10 years ago, and I've kept most of it off. A key thing that helped was physical activity (martial arts classes) scheduled in the evening a couple of days per week. I had to eat a light dinner beforehand, since overeating would be very unpleasant during exercise, and I got home too late to eat much.  Disrupting those two meals was enormously helpful, in my case.

I don't think you need a nutritionist who specializes in j-pouches (if that even exists). I lost weight by joining a medically managed weight loss program. I was on the same program as everyone else. Low calorie meal replacements, high activity. They watch your labs and make sure you are healthy enough for the calorie restriction. After a few months you reintroduce regular food. 

The key? Portion control and frequent meals. Most helpful for me was that my husband went through it with me.

Jan

I'm being certified as a Health Coach and I'm specializing in our crowd of people.  I could possibly help you with weight loss by creating life-long habits, which create transformation.

It is a holistic 90 day program. It's not only hard science/nutrition based, but also addresses emotional issues and self-image, which is connected to weight-loss struggles.

Over 90% of people who go on diets, gain the weight back eventually, because dieting is based on deprivation, which is the wrong focus if you want to enjoy life while losing weight for the long-term.

Anyway, PM me if you're interested.

Tyler in Boston

P.S. "how" you eat is just as important as "what" you eat in relation to weight loss and nutrition in general.

If you feel hungry all the time and dizzy or lightheaded, you could be dehydrated and your subconsciously confusing the feeling of being thirsty with the feeling of hunger.

The colon absorbs the majority of fluids required to remain hydrated and maybe since your J pouch, you've been absorbing some fluids from the water content of the food you eat, therefore, the craving for fluids is subconsciously being misconstrued as hunger.

I never feel thirsty, I can't remember a time, when I actually feel thirsty, I don't know what it feels like; I associate craving a cold drink only when I'm hot....... who knows, maybe, being hot, is the feeling of thirst.

I always feel hungry, even minutes after I've ate a big meal.

Unfortunately, like Jan says, portion control is key to losing weight.

Depending on how much weight you wish to lose and over a specific period of time; then a exercise/fitness program may also be required.

I have a sliding scale of eating, not a diet.

I do not believe that diets help most people but only help them to maintain short term goals and then they go back to whatever was happening before the diet but only worse...

So I believe that you should slowly but surely substitute foods.

I traded white breads, cake and pastry for only whole grains. Then I waited a month until the next substitution once I was comfortable with it and it felt natural.

No margarine or white fats (lard, Crisco...) but olive oil or butter only...if I am going to get the fat I want the health benefit with it too.

Again I waited until it became second nature.

Gave up salad dressings and sauce and used balsamic vinegar or lemon with a few tsps of olive or walnut oil or any other natural oil. Mix some mustard into it and it makes a great creamy sauce. You can add tons of spices and herbs for different flavors.

I eat mostly grilled fish or chicken but enjoy red meat or lamb as a treat...I do not count calories, ever, but enjoy my food when I am eating it, drink lots of water Before the meal to fight off dehydration and fill my gut a bit and to not confuse hunger with thirst.

I have found that certain veggies work very well for me steamed, like broccoli, artichokes, asparagus (the top 2 inches only or the fibre is too much for me) and a few other so I start each meal with those and a green salad without too much stuff in it.

I clean out my system and pouch every day by only drinking liquids in the mornings (coffee, juice and water) until noon but I have a k pouch and it works great but not sure how it will work for a j pouch.

With just those steps I took off and maintained a comfortable lifestyle and body shape.

I eat too much ice cream ( sugar is my enemy and I am addicted) and other sweets so those are my weak points but even with all of that I have managed to keep to a reasonable weight (size 10) for most of my life.

I walk and move a lot unless I am in a flare (sacroilitis) and then all bets are off...I become a sad couch potato living off of sugar and the weight blooms!

By the way, Greek yogurt is my friend and I eat a lot of it for snacks and meal substitution whenever I am feeling peckish. Plain or light only...watch the sides of the containers for calorie counts, they can really get up there in some of them.

Sharon

I lost weight by only eating about 20 grams of sugar a day.  Not eating passed 7pm.  And of course no fast food or junk food.  I did a little exercise everyday .  I either rode my bike, did push ups, chin ups, and eventually added a little bit of weight lifting.  I also walk a lot.  Good luck everyone one.

Since reading a book called Mindless Eating about 5 years ago I have lost all the weight (about 25 pounds) that has crept up on me over the last 20 years. I made several changes that work for me. I bought smaller dishes, stopped keeping candy and other junk food handy, found a tea I really enjoy that usually serves the same function ice cream or other sweets used to serve. I still eat ice cream when that's what I really want, but if I stop to think about it I'll usually decide to wait and maybe have it tomorrow. Now that I'm at the weight I want to stay I weigh myself every morning. If I'm up a little I'll eat very lightly that day. If I'm still up the next day I'll eat lightly again that day. Little increases in activity level help too, like pacing rather than sitting while on the phone, parking farther away and using laptop standing up.

This is not a quick weight loss plan but rather  permanent lifestyle changes.