long post..need advice!

I am a married mom of 4 great kids. # boys ages 11, 9 and 7 and one princess aged 4. My days start at 6:30 when i get my oldest up and ready for the bus by 7:05. Then i get the others up and the boys get on the bus about 8:30. My babygirl and i take her father to work most days and then i take her to morning preschool, which starts at 9. The past few months i had started back to college part time and i went to school at 10 am and out at 10:50 and then headed over to pick her up because she gets out at 11:30. We get home close to noon, we make lunch and then watch a little cartoon together to relax, then brush our teeth and she heads off to nap about 1 or 1:30. Usually i am pretty beat so i would either rest untill my oldest came home at 2:30 or get the dishes done and do laundry, whatever kept me busy. Then i get him a snack, and talk to him about his day. Pick up a little bit then my other two come home about 3:30. I start dinner after getting them settled in and more often than not go pick up their father from work at 5. We come home, have dinner and try to make sure everyones homework is done and start getting ready for the next day. Anything that needs doing, if we have the energy, we try to get done. All the kids go to bed at 9pm(least thats what we shoot for) and on Tuesday nights i was taking a night class from 6-845 pm. (and while i go to class, the DH take the boys to religon class from 6:30 to 7:30) I have the same sort of schedule next semester except for the night class. Constant running, and even with my weight loss so far, i still get exhausted. At least i do have the energy to make it through the most of the day now. I tend to grab whats convenient as i run around doing things. I am back in the grazing and eating carbs habit. Dealing again with the head hunger and the same stuff i did at a few mnts out. My own fault, i know but i am trying to get back on track. I havent lost any weight in the past few mnts, but i havent gained any either. My doctor wants me to be at no more than 800 calories a day, at least 60 grams of protein a day, only 3 meals a day and no snacks. No protein shakes, as he wants us to get protien from food, and not the liquids. By the way, at least 64 oz of liquids is what he requires, and i can get them in but i have gotten out of the habit. I need some help, advice, encouragement to get myself back on track. I should be at goal or close to it, but instead here i am at 225. I find it hard to get back on track.. and sneak in some exercise. Can anyone, if you are still awake after reading this..offer me some advice..anything? Today is the day i get back into my life and use my gift i was given last December 18. Thank you for any help, and i hope the holidays find you all happy and healthy...

well, I dont know how much help this will be, I know you mention your Dr didnt want you to do protien shakes, BUT when I was drinking one in the morning, it gave me so much energy, and I felt much better. I mixed it with a banana, ice, and low fat milk in the blender, and then after I drank almost all of it, I would take my vitamon, and calciem pill. It gave me the energy to get through the day. ALSO walking, walking is very good exercise and you dont hve to leave the house, you can get the leslie sanders walk a mile tape and just walk, walk, walk, that weight will float off.. sorry I dont know you, but QUIT that grazing on carbs!! you know that is what put you in the shape in the first place... dont go back, move forward!! YOU CAN DO THIS>>

Man, whew! you sure are a busy woman. I admire the fact that you've decided to further your education, way to go! You absolutely need to take time for yourself to make sure your getting your nutritional needs met. If you don't you start what you've allready started to do ...graze and carb load. I know it's hard to get into the swing of things when schedules change, but you have to try to work yourself in somehow. I think you should have a protein shake for breakfast at least you'll get a majority of your protein for the day. Sometimes we have to do what works for us and not the Doctor's recommendation's. I still drink my shakes daily too, even though my doc would prefer I get my protein from other sources. But, I work full-time and go to school as well. Hope this helps a little.....remember to take some time for yourself Happy Holidays! Diane 393/193/?

Janice...First off congrats on how great you are doing. NOW...don't beat yourself up over this. This surgery is a life changing event which we will deal with ups and downs for the rest of our lives. you said your doctor said no protein drinks? Well, I had a terrible time getting in all my protein in with just food and was losing my hair still! So, iIhad to start taking a protein drink I have this every morning its Whey protein (designer choice) the chocolate is good and I mix it with 2% milk. I have to disagree with your doctor about no protein drink....try it and see if it makes a difference for you! I too, am a busy mom and find it hard to fit in 3 meals a day. I always eat breakfast and dinner but lunch ends up being 2 snacks during the day. I probably eat about 800-1000 calories per day myself. I wish you luck and don't beat yourself over this....look how far you have come! karie -123

I drink 2 protein drinks a day and have one meal, and IF I feel hungry I snack on protein chips. The protein drinks really help me keep my calories down. I guess doctors say not to drink the protein drinks because they think you might get hungry and miss food and even eat more, but that has never happened with me. The only time I don't have energy is when I don't get sleep. Did your doctor say why no protein drinks? The drinks also help you get your fluid in.