NEED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT

It's been 17 months and I only lost 119 lbs.... I know that is alot of weight but I've been at 213 for months... I talk to my nutristist and am trying to eat more small meals but at times it gets hard. I was hoping to be close to my goal weight by now (150 lbs). About every 4-6 weeks I have back problems but they can't seem to find anything wrong. Already had a spine and pelvic x-rays and they came back normal. When I take off from the gym due to my back... My mom gives me **** about it...(I try not to let me bother me, but it's hard when you share the same house) she is also obese and it gets hard to stick to my routine when she eats whatever she wants... Times I feel like a loser (not in a good way) I feel that I am failing myself and am afraid I am going to regain the weight. I don't want to go back to my old self. I still see my trainer 2x week. I wear a 16 in dress pants/ 18 in jeans and a large in shirts... I just be really happy if I can just fall under the 200 lbs. I figure I can come here since everyone has been in the same boat as me at one time or another. Times I think my mom is jealous of my success. But she won't get the surgery done... It is the usual excuses....Too old/ she weighs too much/ no one to take care of her. About 2 months ago she got digonose with diabietes... (which is due to her weight). But no matter how hard I try, she refuses the surgery... Wish I had a schedule written down for me with a time and what to eat. My lunch time varies between 12:30-2:30. I can't eat lunch at the same time everyday. Then starting in dec. I am going back to 10 hour days... So it is going to get worse trying to get the small meals in. I try to get atleast 1 protein drink in since it has 24 grams of protien. So I am looking for some encouragement to get me back on track. Watching the people on the biggest loser doesn't help either.. I know I am not working out 4-6 hours/day. But I even feel that they are doing better than me. Any info on what to eat and how much will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, dawn

Good Morning Dawn~ I'm so sorry to hear of your frustrations. You and I started at almost exactly the same weight. I think having lost 120lbs. is amazing!!!! I know how badly you want to be under 200...it will come. I don't know what you do for work, so it's a little hard to give you any suggestions about eating throughout the day. I commute to work so I take a very large protein drink with me~ 2-3 scoops in a styrofoam cup mixed with water. It has about 60+ g of protein over the course of about 3 hours. I know that my body doesn't absorb all of that protein, but I like the taste better and I'm getting about 20 oz of water, too. String cheese is also a great, easy snack with lots of protein. Same with nuts, like almonds, but you have to be careful of them because of the high calories. If you don't think you're getting enough protein, add in another protein drink at the end of the day. My surgeon wants us between 90-100 g per day, even more if we're exercising. But, that varies by doctor so be sure to check what their protocol is. It sounds like you're mom isn't being very supportive right now. Try to just focus on yourself, and be so thankful that you've made this decision for yourself. I don't think I would try and talk her into something she doesn't want to do. I had to make that decision for myself in my own time. If I would have had someone push me to do it, I would have dug my heels in further. Finally, (sorry this is so long) do what works for you. If weighing too often is getting you down, put the scales away. If watching the biggest loser makes you feel badly, don'****ch! You need positive information in your head. Eliminate anything that would contribute to you feeling like a failure. Because you aren't!!! You've done great!!! You couldn't have lost these 120 lbs. on your own. I do think the rest will happen for you, but you just have to stay the course and hang in there! Hugs, Kerri

Let me tell you Dawn... I am struggling really bad right now too! It is driving me crazy, but I am NOT going to give up and say forget it. I have been going up and down between 200 lbs and 205 for two months!!!!! I finally get down to 200 and think maybe I will make it to onederland and BAM up a pound or two! I know it is mostly water weight for me and I know that my weight is trying to stabilize, but I am not happy at this weight. I personally want to lose 15 more lbs. I don't know how much my tt will account for, but right now I am hell bent on getting to onederland. But the food demons are really hard on my heels too. My hubby snacks all night long and guess who is sitting next to him nibbling right along? I wake up everyday and eat my protein and have water. I start out with every intention of eating right and then all heck breaks loose at night! Maybe we should go to bed early and hide from everybody!! LOL! You are not alone in your struggle, but don't give up. Wake up everyday and start over again. We did too much and worked too hard to not get where we are going. Wendy

Hey Dawn Never say "only" and "119" in the same sentence. That's great! But I know you want more. Have you considered coming to the OH event in Columbus on the 18th? Sharyn BTW - get the protein and exercise up and the carbs down and you'll start moving.

Dawn, I am feeling the same way too..I am almost 17 months out and feel like I am at a stand still with the weight loss. I have been trying to find the same info on what to eat and how much...it is hard though because eveyone says different things. Some doctors reccommend 800-1000 calories, while others reccommend 1200-1500. Some say 60 grams of protein...while others say 80-100. I am personally trying to write down what I eat and look at the amount of protein I am getting...plus I am trying to walk atleast 5 days a week...hoping to get off this nasty plateau. I don't know what it is about breaking into ONEDERLAND but it is something that many of us struggle with and seem to feel like failures because we haven't reached it yet. Please know that you are not alone and there are people here for you!!! Jamie