I don't get it!!!!

I mean I understand a bit, but I REALLY don't get it... Why do we need so much protein???? I probably only ate about 20 grams of protein before my surgery, so why do I need so much now???? I am getting sick of the supplements... not the taste of them, just making the time to get them in, remembering to get them in and ONLY eating meats for meals... I need other stuff, but I have no room to eat anything else..... I think part of my problem is I am frustrated because I have been stalled at 228/230 for about 3 weeks now, I feel like I am not going to lose anymore, and I feel like if I just ate less times in the day (no supplements) that my weight would start coming down again... I know I have been snacking again (which is probably my reason for the stall), but I feel so deprived this past week... I have been crying over the foods I miss.... They are always in the house (hard not to with 6 kids), but I don't eat them.. I just pine over them and then go to the bathroom and cry.... I am so wondering if I did the right thing... will this be it for me, am I don't losing weight???? I AM SO SICK OF PROTEIN!!!!!! Thanks for listening to me rant! Shawn M.

I'm sorry you are suffering right now. I'm sure it will pass when the weight starts to drop again. We give the scale so much power over our self-worth and emotions. I know I do! I'm sure it is difficult with a big family. You've come so far and you will start to lose again. I'm sorry I don't have any advice but just know that I care.

Thanks Wanda! Shawn M.

Hi Shawn, I know exactly how you feel! I only eat foods with significant protein at meal times (usually 3 times a day). I wish I could eat other foods too but I can't afford to skip on the protein. I read some paperwork I had at home on WLS, that if you're not getting at least 800 calories a day, then the scale is going to stall. And that's exactly what happened to me. So I started writing down everything I ate, counting calories and protein. I try to eat between 50-70 grams of protein a day (protein bars, carb free hot cocoa, protein-fortified milk, fish, poultry, even spaghetti), at least 800 calories (but I don't go over 1000) and drink at least 64 oz of water (I don't include protein shakes, juices or milk). I did this for 10 days straight and lost almost 10 lbs!!! I have since stopped keeping track and the scale is not moving. So I now know what I need to do. Try this and see if it helps you. I know it's discouraging and disappointing! Keep smiling and keep focused! You CAN do this!!! Deidrah

Well, I don't count calories, but maybe I should start... I was using fitday before, but things were going so good that I stopped... I guess it is time to start up again... Thanks for the advice Deidrah!!! Shawn M.

Shawn, (((hugs))) Firstly, we all agree stalls STINK! I will share with you what I learned at my three month nutritionist visit. She said no more than 50 grams of protein and it should be via food not supplements. I was eating salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar and putting my three ounce of shrimp for example on it. She said that my whole meal should be 3 ounces and that I was eating too much volume. She said if I wanted the salad have 1 ounce (dressed with lemon juice or the salad spritzer dressing and then cut back my meat to 2 ounces. She is all about protein - protein - protein - it will fill you. Also she had me up my water to 80 ounces. I made those changes (and stopped the BC pill) and the scale started moving again. I know what you are saying with the snacks ... with three little ones it is SO hard. I went through a 7/10 day period about 6 weeks out where I had my hand in there goldfish snacks ..a lot! It is hard and i still struggle wuith head hunger and the carb monster on occassion. I will say that I've noticed since uping my time at the gym ... I have less cravings. My mind seems more focused and is saying "nope - do not even think about snacking after sweating your booty off" - I have also read another post about a level that raises when you are working out - so you crave less carbs - so could be that too. I want to talk to my surgeon and nut about that. YOU will be a success with this surgery. You are just in a plateau and as soon as your *darn* scale decided to move again ... you will feel much better - and you will be able to give me a pep talk when I hit my next plateau (no no no please no more plateaus!) hang in there and try making a few little changes and see if that helps. hugs, Britt

Well, I did up my water yesterday... from 50 oz a day (not counting my popsicles, coffee, protein drinks) to 100 oz a day... Hopefully that will kick something in the butt.... Thanks so much for your support Britt.... I am taking out one supplement today I think.... I do 3 in a day plus my food... I just can't keep doing it, I would rather have food... Shawn M.

Oh Shawn I don't know what to say, I've been back and forth on my stalls too! They truly do stink!! I also don't know what your surgeon or nut recommend but by the time I was at my third month appointment my surgeon and nut agreed I should be on no more than one protein supplement per day. I was to get my protein from the different foods I eat during the day. I eat 6 mini meals per day, I go for protein rich foods to snack on albeit small amounts. In addition to the healing the protein is supposed to fill you so you don't want to 'snack' on those forbidden foods!! I concentrate on those proteins and I will agree it is hard to get other things in that you would like to eat! I think that at this point in the program we are all starting to feel so much better and sometimes our bodies and minds forget that we've had major surgery, you reach for something you can't have!! I hope you find some help in what I'm saying, I'm not saying you should do what I do, because what works for one doesn't always work for another, but its there for whatever it's worth!! I also hear you loud and clear on the snacks, with two teenage boys myself I have a house full of junk!! which before surgery would have been in my belly too! Hugs to you Shawn!! Michelle

Thanks Michelle.... My problem was that I had a stricture for so long that we did not know about so now that I can actually eat, I want to eat all the time.... Before I was afraid to eat because I constantly was throwing up.... Does that make any sense??? I am not really snacking on "forbidden" foods... I snack on cheese, almonds, beef jerky and popsicles... the occasional pretzels or baked tostitos (very small amounts) are also tempting... but what I Really want is a baked potatoe, some veggies, a salad.. things like that which I Have no room for after I eat my protein... I know what you mean about the junk before surgery.... I can't believe how long the snacks for the "kids" last now that mommy isn't dipping into them.. LOL.... Thanks again for the support... Shawn M.

Shawn, I completely understand about the stricture and wanting to eat now. I am in the same boat. After three months of getting sick every time I ate, it is just sooo nice to be able to eat without being sick now. I found that I stalled the last three weeks of having my stricture because I wasn't getting enough nutrician. Last week I kicked up my protein, water, and exercise and lost almost 8 pounds in one week after three weeks of not losing and even gaining a 1/2 pound. I have the urge to snack also. I think that is old bad habits sneaking up on me now that i know I can eat. I would love nothing more then to drink a coke, but that isn't going to happen. I have been snacking on a few nuts there and there also. Pretzels are my major downfall. Luckily they are low in fat, but still high in carbs. I go to them when I am craving the salt (which isn't good either!) Keep in mind that although cheese and nuts are yummy and they are a good source of protein they may also be high in fat. You might want to give up them up for a week and see if it helps, then add them back in smaller amounts. I've also heard more then one person advise that they don't always absorb the protein via food as well as they do the protein drinks, and they still even after years have to rely on protein drinks to keep their blood work looking good. Just a thought. You might try doing an extra protein drink just for a week and see if it helps. The Profect are really nasty tasting, but you get down 25 grams of protein in just 3 ounces. I bought a case of them and use them when I feel I haven't gotten in enough protein for the day. Also keep in mind that you may need to kick up your exercise. The heavier you are the more calories you burn, so as you lose weight you need to kick up the exercise to maintain the same amount of calories burned. I am there with you girl! I know how it feels. I was getting very depressed too. Your doing fantastic, you've come a long way and you will continue to lose. Stress causes those fight or flight hormones. And those fight or flight hormones can cause your body to try and hold onto its fat for protection. So stop stressing over your weight loss, increase your water, your protein, and your love for yourself. You are doing fantastic and you will continue to lose.