6 month check-up

My 6 month check-up was today and I got news that I never expected!!! I have lost 50 pounds to date and I was feeling kinda down. Even though I know everyone loses at a different rate, I couldnt help feeling a little depressed at how sl-o-o-o-ly this was going. I must be doing something wrong. Well, I AM!!! I'm not eating enough. Dr. Hamad must have seen my shock cause she laughed and said "I'll bet no one else ever told you that before." I keep track of my food intake and exercise on Fitday and took a representative sample of it and lo and behold it seems that with the amount of exercise I get(about 2-3 miles a day) and what I'm taking in they think my body is going into starvation mode and slowing my metabolism down even more. So instead of being told "you are eating too much" it's just the opposite. I have renewed hope!

Congratulations? Did your doctor suggest you eat more protein or more salad and vegestables or what? Did he suggest you exercise less to give your body a break? Good luck to you, Lynda

Hi Lynda, I saw a nutritionist after seeing the Dr. and she said I have to trick my body into thinking it's getting more food that it is. She has me changing my menu completely around. I was drinking a protein drink in the morning before I went out for my walk but she wants me to have a yogurt or a 2oz piece of chicken instead and then about 2 hours later a piece of fruit for a little burst of sugar energy. I have been staying away from carbs but she wants me to incorporate a small amount of carbs in my diet cause that is another energy booster. She told me that when my body is digesting the food it is boosting the metabolism and using more calories. By eating 5-6 times a day I'm always burning but the body is not feeling deprived and slowing down. She definitely does not want me to slow down on the exercise in fact when I told her I was thinking of joining a gym too, she was all for it cause building muscle burns more calories. I wish I was one of those people whose weight just falls off but I'm not and I REALLY want this to work so I'll do everything the doctors suggest. Every one talks about that "window of opportunity" and I think I'm entering a new phase of the weight loss process -one that requires my diligent attention and I intend to stay focused! Jackie

Hurricane cancelled my 6 month checkup, guess I will have to have bloodwork down when we get back into the area!

Hey, you are right there with me. The only way I lose is to stay on shakes, and low carb yogurt. When my doctor told me that calories in calories out bull, it ticked me off and I started to eat more. I immediately dropped weight. So you are right. Every time you slow down too much, eat more for a few days. I think I have been in starvation mode for years. But good luck to you, and keep in touch. natalie

Hi Jackie, Im around the same as you, 4/4/05 Im down 52lbs, and Im disappointed too. could you tell me what your nutritionist told you to eat each day to increase your food? I cant afford to go to a nut at the moment so would appreciate any advice. Im sure my prob is that I dont eat enough. Today for example, I had a protein shake for breakfast, for lunch 1 slice ham, snack - 1 slice lo fat cheese and for dinner 2 tbs yogurt. Everyone says I need to eat more but Im scared that I will put on weight. COuld you take the time to write what you eat and when so I can give it a try too? Thanks so much. hugs from down under Helen

Hi Helen, The nutritionist really didnt tell me what to eat but rather to eat 5-6 meals daily. she said if I am eating every 3 hours or so, my body is always digesting and burning calories so it doesnt think I am starving it. So what I've done is kinda looked at some old weigh****chers books(I'm a veteran dieter and have saved literature from every diet plan I've ever been on) to get an idea of things to eat. I dont want to get into a "diet" mode of thinking but I do want to eat the right things and not pick up any bad habits. And I think they have the right Idea as far as go nutritious food. So here is what I've eaten the last 2 days. It seems like a lot of food but it only averages about 1000- 1100 cal on fitday which is where they want me to be. good Luck and I'll write more menus if you want. Jackie 8am--1/2 toasted multi-grain english muffin w/1 tsp p-nut butter 4oz. skim milk 11am--6 oz container of sf yogurt 2pm --3 oz cottage cheese 6 triscuits 4 oz skim milk 5:30p--sm tossed salad w/2 tsp lite dressing 3 oz hamburger patty 8:30p 1/2 banana 8a-- 1 egg(soft-boiled) 2 slices bacon 1 slice lo-carb bread w/ 1 tsp lite marg. 10:30a -- 1 sm apple 1:30-- 3 oz tuna w/1 tsp mayo 6 triscuits 4 oz skim milk 4 pm-- 1 oz string cheese 6pm---3 oz. grilled chicken 1/2 c broccoli 8:30-- 4 oz skim milk