what's up with me??

I'm back with my same old complaint - what's the deal that I'm losing so slowly??!!?? I exercise 5 days a week for 30 mins (exercise bike), my average daily intake is basically: 1 protein shake in am - 20g protein 1 protein bar snack - 20g protein 1/2 tuna sand or a hard boiled egg or cheese and turkey or ham - 10g pro. 1 protein shake snack - 20g protein tuna or soup or a little of whatever the family's having I started at 243 and am now 187 - my surgery was Nov 4th so I'm almost 21weeks out. Am I doing something wrong? Why so slow?? Help! Debbie

Hey Debbie, First of all you are not losing slow to me.But keep in mind you are losing!!!!!!! I had my surgery Nov.24th 2004 and at 15 weeks I have lost 52 lbs.But my Doctor said to look at these things in your life. 1.Your age (mine is 50Yrs.will be 51 in April 26th.) 2. How much you have to lose(I was 246 he wants me to weigh 150) 3.Have your Tyroid check at 6mo. 4. It is coming off just be Thankfull you are losing. any other diet I would be gaining all that I have lost and more. Love pat memaw199554

Hi Debbie, You and I are almost twins! I was 242 and am now 185- so don't sweat it! Plus, remember muscle weighs more than fat. Be sure to count your inches! I've found that I loose inches one month, then weight the next month. Keep it going! My only suggestion to you would be to get your protein in from food sources rather than processed protein supplements. One shake/protein bar a day is OK, but you really should be looking at 'real' food options for your health. Otherwise the eating pattern you are in may cause damage later on down the road. You don't want a soft pouch, do you? Remember the protein supplements are processed foods== just like fast foods, etc. Try replacing a salad w/chicken (eating the chicken first), etc. with one of your shakes/protein bar. Use fitday.com to calculate your protein from real food. Be sure to drink plenty of water (not while you are eating of course). Really, that's my only suggestion as it sound's like you are doing quite well! If you want some food suggestions, let me know! (I don't take any protein drinks- except on rare occasions the Snapple a Days). Take care and don't beat yourself up. As time progresses so does our weight loss! Jennifer

Jennifer, I would love food suggestions. The more suggestions the better!! Also, what's a "soft pouch"? Thanks! Debbie

Hi Debbie, A soft pouch is where your pouch cannot handle eating 'hardier' foods because you do not 'exercise' your pouch with these types of foods. For instance.. if you never eat chicken and then 18 months from now when you're all healed and you go to try chicken then your pouch may go into froth mode, etc. becuase you've never exercised your pouch with this type of food. Usually folks get soft pouch by primarily having protein shakes, soft-food items like yogurt, etc. for their food intake rather than eating a variety of items like meats, ruffage, whole grains, cheeses, eggs, legumes, etc. etc. I hope I'm making sense as this was my take on what my doc's office stated. For instance I had not been able to eat eggs since surgery. I'd try and get sick. Well last week I was finally able to eat eggs- yeah! This was a way I exercised my pouch. Here are some of my meals and I shop primarily at Trader Joes because they sell individual size portions: I try to get about 2-3 oz of meat, then go on to the veggies. Stuffed salmon filet (30 grams of protein) Shrimp; raw then steamed so they aren't rubbery. Spinach salad with nuts, cranberries and feta cheese (I usually have this as a side to one of the meat dishes). Pork Tenderloins (so tender!), Pork fajitas w/out tortilla; whatever is soft and moist (24 grams) Chicken: thighs are more tender than breast meat (what I've found anyway) (24 grams) Chili (homemade; ground beef or turkey, mushrooms, pinto beans, northern beans, diced chilis, chopped water chestnuts, chili spices then top with some cheese) Some veggies that have protein: Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts, black beans, various other beans. I also really like Red Bell peppers roasted so I can peel off the skin; not a lot of protein but good nutrients! Whole grain slice of toast topped with cheese; you can also add tomatos, basil, etc. Sometimes I can eat the whole slice other times, I cannot. Also top with Peanut Butter. Usually this meal is 13 grams of protein Oh- one thing to know; I cannot reheat most of my leftovers in the microwave, because the meat becomes too rubbery then you can get food stuck, froth, etc. NOT fun That's what tops my head at this moment. Hope this helps! Jennifer

I don't get it..... what makes you think you are losing too slow? Who or what are you comparing yourself with? Tell those little voices in your head to BE QUIET!!!! Say this along with me I AM A SUCCESS!!!! I AM A SUCCESS!!! I AM A SUCCESS!!!! Have you checked out the weight planner on this site? With any bariatric surgery the typical person can expect to lose about 70% of their excess weight within about a 12 - 18 month period. Using your beginning weight and height with this planner....this would make your "goal" weight at 170 lbs..... You are 17lbs away from that at a little over 4 months!!! YOU ARE DOING FANTASTIC!!!! You may want to lose more than that and it sounds like it is indeed possible in your case. Your BMI is 31.1.... down significantly from 40.4..... you are almost just overweight!!!! The goal here is not to lose it as fast as possible, but to develop lifetime habits that allow us to keep it off indefinitely.... it sounds as if you are on your way... Good luck B

B - What you said certainly puts it into perspective for me. It also helps that this morning when I woke up I weighed myself and am down another 1.5lbs When I look at the overall % of weight lost I really am doing well - I need to stop expecting to have the scale move every week because it doesn't. I've heard others say that they lose 1 week out of the month and that seems to be the case for me too. I am feeling better and have started to notice a difference in the way my clothes feel - better to judge by the clothes than the scale! Thanks for being so supportive - you and everyone else on this site - especially on the November support board - I feel like we are truly a group of friends here! Debbie

You're doing great! You're not a slow loser.. keep up the good work! Donna 255/192/135

Hi Debbie, You've lost 56 lbs in 21 weeks. Thats 2.66 lbs per week. Weigh****chers would kill for that kind of weight loss. Slow and consistent was always best. I would weigh myself everyday, and within hours of weighing in I would gain 4 lbs, without eating. So your weight is unpredictable for the most part. Muscle to fat, fat to muscle, it all is uncertain. You are doing great. Keep up the good work. Losing weight is like trying to learn a new language or play a new instrument. To master it, it takes a little time. You won't learn to play piano in 21 weeks either, but neither will anyone else. Remember, " ...the more you try to change something, the more it stays the same." Embrace your weight, whatever it is now. It will change, I promise you, if you do.