Eating More now!

Hi Everyone. I will be 8 months out on the 16th of this month. And I'm scared. I've only lost 78 pounds since surgery. Maybe this is a lot, but I just feel like it should be more. I know I'm not suppose to compare myself to other, but I can't help it. I feel like I eat a lot.... and I've been at a stand still for probably 4 weeks now. I'm scared that I wont be losing anymore. I'm scared that the scale might start going the other way now. Can you all tell me what kind foods you all are eating now? How much protein you are getting in now a days? and How much exercise do you get in weekly? And for us super busy folks... how do you manage to get the exercise in? Thanks for your time. Cassandra

hi cassandra: i understand the anxiety. i was stuck for the longest time so i stopped weighing myself and re-evaluated the things i was doing. went back to the basic rules and WHAT DO YOU KNOW - THE SCALE MOVED. i try my level best to stick to protein first and usually only. generally i will get it through food but also usually have at least a protein shake or a meal replacement bar once a day (i think of it as my protein insurance). if i have something for breakfast besides the protein shake it is a bowl of instant oatmeal with nuts added to it. when i have lunch i tend to do 2-3 oz of meat and 2-3 oz of cheese. if i'm still hungry (usually am not) i will have whole grain crackers or nuts. for supper i generally have the meat part of whatever the family is having. 3 oz of chicken or beef or ham or hamburger plus a spoonful of veggies. my fluid intake has continued to be 5 or 6 20 oz bottles of water daily. the part i'm still having to work on is the exercise. i'm still having issues with my right leg. when i walk or bike my ankles puffs up like a blowfish. so i try to do upper body stuff and walk extra as much as i can. it's not enough, but i know i'm trying. cassandra - sounds like you're doing very well. aren't you averaging 10 pounds per month. that's darn near perfect, recommendation wise. but if you really feel it's not good enough, check out what you're actually doing. journal it for a couple days. you'll be able to tell right away. good luck. hang in there hugs dorthe

Hi Cassandra, I'm sorry you are discouraged. I know how you feel. I hadn't lost anything in like a month or two, atleast not anything that stayed. I go up and down with 2 or 3 pounds for weeks before it is actually gone for good, very frustrating especially the up parts ( it scares the crap out of me) I hadn't lost anything in awhile so I made a conscious effort to focus on my protein and water and really watch my carbs. I don't dump or if I do it is like feeling a little tired for about 30 minutes but not enough to stop me from eating things I shouldn't. I have noticed on days I eat to many carbs I am hungrier than usual and can eat more and crave even more carbs so it is a bad cycle. So I'm really watching my carbs and I've lost 5 pounds in the last couple of weeks. I'm what they call a light weight so it is slower for me than some and since I'm close to goal it is harder to lose as well.I have to actually work at it like a normal person would. Focus on the basics and watch the snacking and carbs and you will get there. 78 pounds is a lot of weight and I know you are happy about those pounds gone forever. It's not over yet, you will get to your goal if you don't give up. Keep us posted and good luck! Janice 258/163/160goal

(((Cassandra))), Ok throw the scale away, and please don't compare yourself, we are all different. You can do this girlfriend, stay positive and use your tool. As for eating, a typical day for me is as follows: B - 1/2 protein bar, or 1/2 c. l/f cottage cheese, or 1 egg and 1 piece of bacon L - 2-3 oz meat (chicken, beef, shrimp) 1 oz vegetables 1/2 apple or 1/2 pear or 5-6 grapes D - 2-3 oz. meat 1-2 oz vegetables S - Protein Drink Do you monitor your protein, carbs, calories, etc? I bet that is where you need to start if you aren't doing it. Fitday.com is free and a great program to use. I do my best to eat at least 60 grams of protein a day, keep carbs below 30 (preferrably 20), and calories are around 700 a day. As for exercise, I've slacked off , not good but I'm going back to Curves today, heck I'm paying for it, I need to use it. Any exercise you get helps ~~ park further and walk, take the stairs instead of elevator, just get moving. I suggest you change your daily routine, how much water you drink, change your meals and walk at least 30-45 minutes a day. Your body is getting use to the same routine, so jumpstart it. You can do this, don't give up, persistance and patients wins the race . Hugs, Dana

It sounds like you're doing a good job but if you're concerned take a step back and look at what you're eating and drinking. up the protein and the water. go back to the basics. i had to do that a few times. i don't work so i have the luxury of exercising 4-6 days a week. i do a video walk every day and that's a lot easier to stick to (for me anyway). and as far as nutrition i try to avoid as much bad carbs as possible, i go for 60 grams of protein, and get at least 64 oz of water and reward myself with flavored drinks if i get in all my water. i agree the other post...park further and take the stairs that's always a help. i use my dog to get me motivated too...i take him for walks throughout the day. good luck to you!! Steph 350/330/177/165

You know, I have the same issue right now. I can eat more, and I have relaxed a bit on the carbs, letting myself have breads. I have been bouncing from 201 - 203 for the last month, and I decided last night that I have to go back to basics. I got rid of all my carby snacks, and the nuts that had been a staple for me. I got some LF jerkey, and promised myself that I would start eating protein first again, and then veggis if there was room. Another thing that I haven't been as vigulent with is the water. I am upping that as well. Hopefully this will start me losing weight fast again. I hope to be under 200 by the end of the weekend, and I hope to lose perhaps another 20lbs. I am also starting an 8 week regimine designed to help you learn to run for 1/2 hr. Running can help you lose a gang of weight. So hopefully in 8 wks, I will be able to run for 1/2hr with no prob. Wish me luck! I think that returning to basics could help us both. GL@US Robin 315/202/160-190???