Scheduling meals

I had to schedule my meals early out as did my husband. It has been a long time since our surgeries in '03 so I cannot give you particulars. I do remember that I made sure that I always had food in the house so I could make lunches to take to work. I walked to work and always would take my lunch so I would not resort to the snack machines.

This above life style change still carries over now even into my recently retired life. We always have something fresh or frozen in the house to make meals with.

I haven't scheduled my meals, but it might be something for me to think about. Never in my life did I think I'd ever get to the point where I'd forget to eat. In the past, I've worked with people who'd tell me they we're so busy at a project or event, they'd forget to eat. Wut? Could not relate. At. All.

Now, I've caught myself on a few occasions where I've totally forgotten lunch or breakfast. Crazy. 

I'm working hard (3.5 weeks out) to get my schedule worked. The holidays made it tricky. One oldtimer said he'd go without eating until the evening if he didn't--and I'll listen to someone who's lost 210 pounds! 

Btw, is your picture Norway ball?

Not Norwayball, it's Finland from satwcomic.com

 or 

I love that so much! Sorry I got the wrong country--I see these comics on Imgur from time to time and enjoy them immensely.

I did that my first year post op from the DS  because I never felt hunger.  I had alarms to eat something and to take vitamins.  It worked as I learned my body's more subtle cues.

I don't technically have mine scheduled but I eat at specific times of the day. 7:30, 1, 3, 5, 8. 

I always have pre-portioned meals. I never, ever, ever, allow myself to 'graze' until I'm full. I don't trust that I will stop when the actual amount I should stop is met. 

I think it would be a good idea at first until your hunger cues return.

Do what you need to do to get your protein in.  Drink shakes if you need to. Drink a protein shake if you need to.  I still need one every now and then when my schedule gets busy.  But it makes no sense to me that you are getting your fluids, but not your protein.  You need both. I do not use an alarm, but I have a general plan for the day for protein and fluid.  If not, it's 7pm and you realize that you still have 30 gms of protein, 40 oz fluid and a bunch of vitamins yet to injest.

If you do not get enough protein, your body will canalabalize your lean muscles tissue to get the protein your body needs to function,  This will result in less muscle for you to burn calories with and will slow your weight loss. (only muscle burns calories, fat does not)

Even with adequate protein, most people lose 25-30% of their loss as lean muscle mass and will need to do weight training to rebuild it.

If you can, get a %body fat analysis next time you are at your doctors so you can track that as you lose.  Track that as you lose.

Good luck - be as creative as you need to be, but get that protein in.