my first post!

Hello everyone. I've been enjoying reading about you guys and have learned a lot from everyone. My surgery was March 2, 2004 and I've gone from 247 to 150, and I'm 5'6, a size 8. My goal is to be between 135 and 140 and the scale is moving SO SLOWLY! I go to Curves, but am looking to join a more full service gym, as I work alot and the hours aren't good. My best food friend is Carb Well bars. I always keep one in my purse for emergencies and they taste yummy with 10 grams of protein. I've noticed a lot of people stating that they gave up bread and carbs. I do eat carbs and am wondering if I can get rid of this last 10-15 pounds by giving them up. What's the feeling on that? Also, I haven't been drinking the protein shakes because I felt I've been getting enough protein through solid foods. Any thoughts on that? Thanks and keep on posting! Joan

I cannot tolerate the drinks so I use meat and cheese for my protien. Maybe cut down on the drinks. But the best way to know for sure is to have blood work done to see how your body is reacting to the way you are treating it. I am having more test in January to check my levels.

Joan - you are doing wonderful! The thing is, I do think if you cut your carbs you would probably lose the rest quicker. I love the Carbwell bars too, but they still have carbs in them. I think the key is to mix it up and do what your body doesn't expect. I'm still trying to psych myself into low-carb as well but have a "thing" about apples right now that I have to get out of my system. Good luck and let us know if you try it and how it goes! Dina

Welcome Joan!! I too get all of my protein from solid foods. I think that as long as you are getting the proper amount of protein, there is no need for the shakes. For me, solid food is much more satisfying than protein shakes. As for the carbs, I'm sure that giving them up would speed up weight loss, but I've been "THE CARB MASTER" all of my life and don't think that I could completely give them up. You seem to be doing very well so far, so why worry about how fast you're losing? We need to remember that it took many years to put all of that weight on, so we shouldn't expect it to come off right away. This is especially true as we get closer to "GOAL"! Mike

Hi Joan, Congrats on your awesome loss! I think that if you cut your carbs you will loose. I also think that if you bump up your work-out routine or even just change your routine that will also help. My fitness director told me that our bodies get use to the same schedule and will adjust and we will need to constantly change our routines in order to kick start weight loss again. So change a few things up. As far as protein is concerned. The best advice to give you is to tell you to have your levels checked to see if you are getting in enough protein. Personally I was told by my doc that I would need the protein supplements for the rest of my life pretty much because we do not absorb the nutrients in the foods we eat like we use to. BUT every doctor is different and the best way to know for sure is to have your levels checked. If you eat protein and your protein levels are fine then you should be good to go w/out the supplement drinks. But if they are low I would drink the supps. Welp I wish you all the best and continued success! Nice to hear from you Elizabeth M