How do we do it all?

I am about 6 and a half months out, still fighting to get my fluids in regularly, trying to figure out a schedule that works for me on taking the different supplements, and always working on getting my protein levels up (still weren't where they wanted them at 6 months, but a bit better than at 3 months).  Now we are buying a house and DH is having to get out of the army, so I am going to have to go looking for a job.  It is scary enough to figure out how to look for a job and what kind to look for after being a homeschooling stay at home Mom for the past 14 years, but I am wondering how I will be able to do the whole eating and drinking right thing when I already feel like just having appointments puts me behind on either my fluids or protein for the day, meaning I stay up even later to get it all in. 

How do you all that work everyday do it?  How do you make sure you get enough of everything in, especially since you aren't able to just go make an egg white omelet at some odd hour of the morning or afternoon as well as mixing up protein shakes that you can drink half of over a period of time and the other half waits in the fridge for later?  I know you all do it, but I am as scared of messing up my protein and fluids as I am of looking for a job of some sort after all this time!

Hi Saprina,

First of all, congratulations on your new home! How exciting.

Next, you'll be able to do it, but you'll make some changes. You might have some of the small individual sized cottage cheese containers that you would have during a break. You might have some sliced turkey or lean ham rolled with lowfat cream cheese and chives for another snack. Since you are beyond six months post op, you probably will be off or nearly off of protien shakes in general. You might have one in the morning for breakfast as you drive to work, which would allow you to consume the protien shake while doing something else. By now, with some planning you should be able to get about 60 to 80 grams of protien in by 'eating' most of  your protien instead of drinking most of it. 

Re: hydration. Basically, working or not, keep a water bottle with you at all times. If you don't like water, then try some Crystal Lite or Decaf unsweet tea or coffee, but try to sip constantly throughout the day so that you are getting at least 64 ounces of fluids daily. 

I hope that these suggestions help. 

Wishing you and yours all the best as you embark on a new journey.

 

Let's see, where to start.  Ok, don't like cottage cheese LOL.  I also figured that most jobs I have known of that might be a possibility in the future wouldn't have a place I could take cold things like sliced meat or the such.
I am nowhere close to being off of supplements, actually had to up them.  If I am home long enough, then I can do around 60 grams of protein in food sources, but I am now up to having to have 130 grams a day!  I also have to do small amounts of the shakes slowly and spread them out during the day since it seems I am not absorbing the protein as well as I should be.  This is why I am worried about finding a job.  I can't see getting in 130 grams spread out over the whole day when I am working up to 8 or so hours a day.
I do crystal light all the time, one flavor of it, but it is what I drink.  I just don't think to be drinking it if it is not right there at me and in my hands most of the time.  I know if I look at cashiering or the such that I won't be able to have a drink with me during the time I am doing it, only be able to drink on breaks.  I think that if I had some sort of an office job or the such I would have a better chance at this stuff, but not having a degree and having been a SAHM for so many years, I am looking at whatever kind of jobs I can try to get which means things like wal mart or the such. 
If anyone has such a kind of job, would love to hear how you work it all in, though!

Hi Suprina,

I'd talk with the surgeon and nutritionist with your program to find out what they suggest re: why you do not seem to be adequately absorbing protien so that you require 130 grams a day. I'm sure that they can help you with finding out what would work best. If you are taking liquid supplements, then if you are doing an entry level clerical type job, you just might be able to keep a 'shake' on hand most of the time. Do not short change the skills that you have developed in your years as a SAHM. Also think of any volunteer activities that you have been involved with that may translate into marketable skills. 

I would strongly suggest that you consider cross-posting this to the RNY, Main and Nutrition boards to see if you get some more input from them . 

Wishing you all the best,

Barb

P.S. Re: keeping things cold, you might consider using freezer cold packs to help you keep snacks cold and safe if a fridge is not nearby. 

Barb has wondeful advice (as usual )

I just wanted to add a couple of things, not advice, but it's how I do things.

I work 2 jobs (Yes, I work 52 to 60 hours a week) and I'm about to go back to school starting in Jan.

I can tell you one trick I've learned to help get in my protein:

2 scoops Low Carb Isopure Vanilla or Strawberry
3/4 C Soy light (vanilla)  OR 3/4 C Tropicana 50% less suger Orange Juice
1 1/2 C frozen fruit

Somtimes I add Fiber powder just to up the Fiber content.  I put the Soy milk or OJ in a blender with the poweder(s) and blend till smooth, then add fruit and blend.  It makes a fabulous smoothie.  Sometimes I'll add a Activa Light Cherry yogurt to it.

I make this in the morning and then take it with me to work where I drink on it for about an hour.

I ALWAYS have a lunch box (large cooler) with me. Even when I run errands. I keep water and high protein bars in it (like South Beach High Protein bars or Adkin Advantage)

During the week, for work, I stuff it full of snacks and my lunch.  Fruit, yogurt, fage yogurt mixed with ranch dressing powder for dipping veggies and/or Reduced Fat wheat thins, mixed nuts, cherios multigrain plain for chrunchie snack, sometimes salsa, turkey pepporoni chips (microwaved to crispy chips), etc.  There are all kind of snacks you can make - check out "the world of eggface" website. She's got TONS of ideas that are fabulous.

But no matter what, that lunch box with ice packs in it, is ALWAYS with me.  I keep Instant Oatmeal at work too. And I buy protein loaded Hot chocolate and Cappacino from my nutritionist (healthwise) with almost zero sugar and 15g of protein.   That way if  I'm running short, I can have a nice treat with 15g to boost it.   My nut sells the boxes for $7.00 each.

By the way, I don't have anywhere to keep cold and frozen stuff either... 

I use large frozen gel packs and large insolated lunch box. It's PERFECT. Keeps things crisp and cold all day (obviously since I work from 7:30 am to 11:30pm)

It will all come to you in time - basically you need to keep working at it.
At 6 months out I was off all protein suppliments and have not looked back. I drink almost a gallon of water a day and eat around 1400 calories - its a lot and took me time to get use to a routine of how I could do it... basically I am eating/drinking all day long sans the 1/2 hour post-meal. I also work two jobs and put in approx 50-60 hours a week.
You have to figure how much protein you need to get in meals/snacks during the day and find foods that fit your needs... I keep snacks in my desk and things at home that are quick/easy for the times I am in a time crunch. Thankfully I have a fridge at my main job and keep it stocked with cottage cheese, greek yogurt, deli turkey so I always have a protein filled snack if I need it... nuts in my desk, sometimes nut butters etc.
It took me at least a year to get my eating down... after I hit goal weight it took me another 3-4 months to get my maintenance eating down - so keep working at it and you will eventually get it all figured out.