Just need some words of encouragement.......

Hello all, I am feeling really down lately and need some help. I am just over 7 months post op, and have lost 112lbs. I am feeling disappointed because I started at 432lbs. So 112 barely 1/2 way to where I want to be. But I feel my weight loss slowing down already. In 5 weeks, I have only lost 4lbs. It is very discouraging. I am having alot of head hunger lately, and dont know how to handle it. I dont want this to be as far as I get! I need help. How does everyone get in all their water. I dont wan****er and dont think about drinking it, and to be honest, I dont think I get more than 20-30 oz. a day. I am trying harder on my protein but having a problem with that as well. I need some suggestions! ! ! !Please help, I dont want this to be the end. Cara

Hi; I use protein drinks and count that as water. I get them from http://store.bariatriceating.com/ and they taste pretty good. I always try to keep a bottle of water in front of me. That seems to help. My weight loss has also slowed down and I know what you mean about the head hunger. Its those little voices saying I can eat just one small bite of whatever and it won't hurt. I also keep looking at my before pics; that seems to help with the motivation. I have also found some protein bars called Think Thin ! Low Carb Diet, yes they have the sugar alcohol in them but also have 20 grams of protein. They don't taste that bad and they really hit the spot when I want chocolate. I like the Carmel Swirl and Smores the best. They ae in the stores but they also have a web site at www.thinkproducts.com Also; as hard as it seems; this surgery is just a tool to help with weight loss. It is up to us to make the changes in our life to live a healthy life style. I have heard it said before; they operate on your stomach not your brain. If you feel really depressed; talk to your doctor; he / she might be able to provide some anti-depressants to help. Yes, I am taking anti-depressants. Hang in there. We are all in this together and we are all here to help one another. Hope this helps. hugs... mark g.

I have only lost 72 lbs. And I keep going to the plateau, and it makes me crazy each and every time. There is a site called "rules of the pouch" and I will send you the link when I am on my home puter. Now yes - protein protein protein. Some of it tastes like CRAP, some tastes pretty good. I have been taking vanilla protein, tossing one scoop into the blender [that will get you 23 grams of protein right there]. then I add a handful of frozen strawberries [or any other frozen berries that have no sugar added]. To that, I add about 4 ounces of skim or low fat milk and blend it. It is what I have for breakfast and it tastes GOOD. By the time I get it blended, it is about 10 to 20 ounces of liquid. It takes me awhile to drink it all down, but I stay full until lunch. If you are still having trouble with the protein and the liquid, you can take another scoop of the vanilla for the afternoon snack, only this time just add one scoop of vanilla protein, one round teaspoon of hersheys cocoa, 4 oz milk and 4 oz water. Blend or shake. That gives you your afternoon snack [and about 200 calories]. It gives you an additional 8 ounces of liquid AND it tastes good. My Doc said I wasn't getting enough calories. That upped my calories and did it in a way that also gave me the protein I was missing. If plain water is not your cup, try different teas. I love the chai spice tea, hot or iced. It is naturally sweet. Also, fresh from scratch lemonade with stevia instead of sugar. All liquids COUNT. And they help you NOT TO FEEL HUNGRY. Just remember to keep an eye on portions and calories. You are gonna be just fine! Rome was not built in a day. They started over and over and over, and so do WE. Good luck from one slow loser to another ~ We are gonna do this thing, girly!

Are you exercising? Carolyn

I need encouragement as well, started out at 280 now 205 only lost 75lbs. Everyone else seems to be over the 100 mark, certainly under the 200's by now its going, just slowly. I can't do the water either go to www.bariatriceating.com Nectar protein on sale (my favorites Roadside lemonaide and strawberry/kiwi) I count them as fluid intake I drink 2 a day with 2 scoops (1 scoop is 27gms protein) so I'm getting 108gms of protein right there then I carry around Crystal light all day ( the different tea flavors and lemonaide) I too feel like I getting to the end with the 1 year mark right around the corner don't we have till 18 months though? Keep up the good work we are all better off then where we started and I guess we have to be thankfull for that!!!