Frustrated

Ok...I am craving chocolate, salty stuff, and anything bad for me. I know my "friend" should be here any day now, and just when I said I was pretty regular...NOT...it should BE HERE NOW!!! RGHRGHRHGHHGHGHGHG I am at my monthly plateu and am ready for it to be over. I keep staggering between 48-52 pounds lost. I AM ANGRY with myself, I want to be below 370 before next Tuesday and there is NO WAY IN THE WORLD that is going to happen. I have been making sure to get all the water in, but the protein has been a problem...I HATE SHAKES!!! I do like the Unjury chocolate, but I only had the samples and am down to the unflavored and strawberry. I also do not keep a food journal, I know - bad Mandie, and I think I am not eating enough. I do drink water and crystal light all day (I have even tried the Diet Coke with Splenda---shaken and frozen to get rid of air bubbles - it's not bad...I was a BIG Diet Coke drinker before surgery..probably 5 20 ouncers a day at least, I know this is bad but I was bored and decided to try it) I have been walking at least a mile every day...and I am stuck in this rut. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh Sorry everyone - I just needed to vent. Mandie

I am SOOO sorry your feeling blue! Last week I felt the same thing-- I took unsweetened cocoa, hot protein plus milk and splenda and some diet hot chocolate-- it might take the edge off. Hang in there. andrea

Or you might try one of the chocolate South Beach Cereal Bars....I used that tonight to curb my chocolate craving. Kaitlain LapRNY 7/5/05 247/198/145

Mandie, I can not help you with the chocolate thing, but I have a terrible time with protein until I got the nectar navel flavor protein from bariatric eating. I love that stuff and could drink it as a regular drink. I have two a day which is 46 gms of protein. Or sometime I have one of those and another flavor mint chocolate chip with some milk for more protein. That helps with the little urges for chocolate.

Mandie, I am sorry you're feeling blue too. Firstly, why are you angry with yourself honey??? Stop that...LOL! It's not because you're not getting in enough protein or drinking enough water, it's just the way your body is losing. You must TRY to get in the amounts that your surgeon recommended, for sure, but don't beat yourself up if you have a hard time! Just try to do better. It's for your health that you are doing this, not for your weight. Your weight (and I know this personally- I am secretary of the slow losers club) will come off- slowly but surely. I personally like the Unjury chocolate shakes. I also ordered some Protica Profect protein vials to help with protein. I got a box of sugar free Rocky Mountain sugar free chocolates at Costco. Don't know if you have Costco near you, but they have a website-- http://www.rmcf.com/cp/shop/sf/sf.asp? I'll have one, maybe two, and it totally satisfies my cravings. I keep the box in the freezer. They are delicious too! For salty stuff- Beef Jerky is a great snack and high in protein. Also, believe it or not, pork rinds! They have them at WalMart like a microwave popcorn- pop the bag in the micro and have hot ones! Not the best to eat all the time, but better than chips with empty calories! Also- have you tried soy crisps? Got them at my grocery store in the chips aisle I think. I would try not to get back into the coke habit if I were you... water is much better for you. (I know, how boring- I hate water too but I make myself drink it) www.fitday.com Free- to track what you eat. You will be so much better off if you do it so you can see everythiing plainly. Also- don't set unrealistic goals for yourself, because that gives you a reason to beat yourself up when you don't meet them. Just stop it! Don't allow those thoughts in your head!! Just do the best you can and don't expect to be perfect- NONE of us are!!! (((hugs Mandie))) Michele

oh yea, another thing- you can add the Unflavored Unjury to jello or pudding (sugar free of course), and you can also make Jello Jigglers for a quick protein snack. Add it to oatmeal too, ...I find 2 scoops of the chocolate too sweet so I add 1 chocolate and 1 unflavored...

A few more item-- I hate the protein shakes too-- But bariatric eating sells Achiev Coffee drinks if you like coffee-- It tastes remarkably similar to (and looks like) a Starbucks coffee drink, but no sugar-- there is caffeine in it, so I don't have one every day-- but it helps-- 20 g protein in 9.5 oz-- I like the cappucino the best but there are four flavors. One other item-- On days my pouch revolts and I can't eat much, I resort to amino 222-- It has 22 grams of protein. It tastes (in my opinion) revolting, but you only HAVE TO DRINK 4 TABLESPOONS!-- that's like a shot. You can get it at GNC. At the end of the day, if I find I am really low on my protein and I can't get anything else into my body, I take a tablespoon (just like medicine). It's comes in fruit punch. Sort of tastes like concentrated isopure (UGH). Michele is right- DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP. I've seen your before and after pictures on your profile, and you look amazing! You have come so far, and should be happy that you were brave enough to do this surgery and are doing so well. Oh-- and Michele turned me on to Fitday-- I bought the software, and suddenly I am the queen of food journaling-- It's a great program. Cheers! Andrea

Mandie, you have been at this for what, a little over 2 months? And, you have lost roughly 50#? That is 25# PER MONTH!!! Have you ever lost that much in a month (without starving yourself)? You are doing great! And you said yourself that your "friend" will be around soon. You are going to have to accept that us women got the short end of the stick when it comes to losing weight and our monthly friend - we slow down, stop, or even gain weight, and that's a fact of life! As for cravings.....I also can't stand shakes - actually I am trying to gag one down right now!! I do the jerky and cheese sticks for protein, pork rinds are great too - the ones from the microwave that was mentioned earlier are terrific with salsa or bean dip. From my low carb days, I would microwave cheese to make it crunchy. Also, always check your measurements - they could be moving without the weight coming off. Don't give up!!! Remember we are still newbies and have our whole lives ahead of us!! Darla

Mandie, You are not alone with being frustrated. It's that we have had those bad habits for so long and it takes time and patience for us to conquer them all. I seem to be at a stand still also but the enccouragement that I have gotten from others on the website has boosted my drive and determintation. Hang in there you will be over the rough spot soon.