Am I starving?

Okay, you know I started, but then re-started the Plateau Buster thing on Monday. I've done pretty good. I haven't done it exact, cuz I do allow my cream in my coffee (just one cup) and a SF fudgsicle. Nway, it is hard to eat it all though, but Monday I ate all but one meat and one protein shake. Tuesday I did almost all of it. This raised my calories a lot and had me at 164 grams protein. Monday was 124. Nway, so by Wed I had lost 2 lbs. Yesterday, I was sick, so I didn't eat much... and today I had gained the 2 lbs back! So, all this time I've been on a plateau, I really thought it was cuz of my eating habits and I couldn't exercise, but I am wondering if now maybe I wasn't eating enough. I eat about 900-1000 calories normally. But like Tuesday my calories were like 1400. Just wondering.

I don't know Kelli Jo. I can tell you what happened with me: I started adding snacks and upping my intake from around 900 calories per day to 1200-1500 per day because I wanted to start maintaining my weight. I knew I would still probably lose a few more pounds anyway...but figured since I was so close to goal, i better start trying to maintain now, ya know? WELLLLLL all of a sudden, my weight started flying off again! I dropped 9 pounds in my first month of eating more I couldn't believe it. Then 6 more the next month... STRANGE! I thought "OMG, i must have really been in starvation mode" - I just never believed that if I ate more, I would lose more. It's just the opposite concept of our previous lives! But i guess the difference is HOW MUCH MORE and OF WHAT.... Before, eating more meant taking in probably 3000 calories and two plates of food.... Now, eating more is getting our intake up to a healthy number VERSUS exceeding it. Try this if you want to: Take a food journal with you everywhere you go (okay, I know, don't roll your eyes about the food journal...I know a lot of people recommend it...and it's a pain... but just humor me on this ) Write down everything that goes into your mouth (i know, i know...humor me) YOUR GOAL is to break up 1200-1500 calories throughout the day NOT three meals a day.... At least 5 or 6 feedings... Example from my day: AM - Venti SF Vanilla Latte with non-fat milk (20g protein, 300 calories) Mid-AM - Banana (100 calories) Lunch - Taco Bell Taco Supreme (10g protein, 330 calories) Mid-afternoon - Sweet Essentials SF popcorn (2 protein, 24 fiber, 110 calories) Late afternoon - Protein shake with milk (27g protein, 200 calories) Dinner - Chicken and veggies (20g-30g protein, 300-400 calories) Snack - One chocolate covered pretzel rod (2g protein, 80 calories) Also, I drink a lot of hot tea with milk or half n' half in it...so there is more protein throughout the day...and fat/calories. See, I have added calories and carbs...but still get my protein in. I'm only guessing as to why this is working for me... but it seems that because I'm constantly keeping my body fed with just enough fuel to burn (and not store) that it is keeping things moving...my metabolism and other bodily functions that i was having trouble with. You might already be eating like this and i'm just shooting in the dark... but I thought it was worth a shot....like maybe this will work for you too? I do remain mindful about serving sizes and not exceeding 400 calories in any one sitting. I just have this mental image of my pouch stretching out to the point where i can't control myself...or eating so many calories in one sitting that my body will start storing fat again. On the days where I get hungry between, my hot tea helps calm my tummy. But on the days I eat like this, I rarely get hungry! Hope something I've said helps somewhat.... hang in there! Hugs, Pam 250/126

Pam, That totally makes since. That is kinda how I ate on Monday and Tuesday. Then yesterday I was just blah. I have really tried to pay attention to my water, and not mixing it w/ eating too. You are right, when you eat like this you are less hungry. Doing absolutely no carbs is hard, so I've allowed myself those few, and then once the ten days are over, I'll have fruit/veggies again. I am however going to try to write it down as I go, cuz I put it on fitday, but that doesn't put times etc. Yea, it is so weird... it is the opposite of what we use to do. Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

You know, i had another thought too... Whenever i do a high protein/very low carb diet, i get *clogged* up... don't know if that is happening to you, but it could affect the scale. (I lost 4 pounds in one sitting once!! oh, that was awful) *ahem* N E Wayz.. (that may have been TMI... ) (sorry) BUT maybe taking stool softeners while on the plateau buster will help?? Pam

Yes, I was then went a lil bit today. I notice if I take MOM, I'll lose 2-3 bls, but I don't like to do that more than 2-3 x a month. I do have some stool softners at home, so I'll try it. Thanks.

KELLI JO! PAM put it perfect! I was always a big eater...my entire 11 months. I always eat the meals and 3 snacks. I lost steadily till now and i am a big believer in the starvation mode and the body holds on to the food! I think this will work for you! MY issue is proly i am at an ideal body weight and the rest i have may be skin. THIS is what my surgeon feels so im trying to just go with thigns and see what happens! GOOD LUCK! and i think upping calories with good choices will work wonders! lisa xoxox

I am really gonna try this. Thanks Lisa!

Kelli Jo, I am too scared of eating over 600-800 calories. My surgeon doesn't want to me to snack, only 3 meals per day. He said it was OK on occasion to have a piece of fruit. I know that it's because he doesn't want me to depend on snacks and then spiral down into grazing behavior all day long. I couldn't believe how much Pam is eating and losing. I am too scared to eat that much. I think I would gain. I've been doing OK with weight losses but have slowed down this month. I do exercise. I'm going to wait and see what happens next month on my 1st year anniversary. So far, I've lost 180.1 pounds since my surgery. When I go to my surgeon next month, I will discuss this with him. I can't offer any advise on this one, but wanted to share my thoughts with you. Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Lucy

Wow, you'e done great! I've only lost 123 since surgery.. I lost some prior. My doctor also doesn't want us eating much. He says the least as possible. And recommends mostly protein shakes. I really tried to eat more yesterday, and felt like I ate more, and did 2 protein shakes, and still only did 1048 in calories. I did do 156 in protein though...got on the scale and still lost nothing. I am exercising again though and did weights last night, so that usually puts a few lbs on me. Good luck to you as well!