Not a newbie but feel like a lacky :(

  Hi I'm Jennifer. 31 from Alabama. I have been a member on here forover  a year but haven't really been able to keep up due to everyday life but I'm turning to you guys once again.. I had my surgery Aug. 28th 2008 and have so far lost around 135 lbs. I am currently at 354. I know that's great but I have a lot more to lose.
I weighed 489 before surgery and I want to get down to at least 200 lbs. I am having problems eating the right things not because I don't want too but because I can't afford too. I don't eat junk by no means but I'm becoming a carb junkie slowly all over again.
I have became lactose intolerant since surgery also and I can't stand my protein powders mixed in water but soy milk is so expensive. Any ideas on how to use the powders? I want to start exercising more and would love to join a gym but can't afford to do that right now so I am gonna start walking on my treadmill and outside and riding my bike more. I guess my questions are:
1 what are some cheap ways to get in more protein and good for me food?  
2 Do you think my losing is already over or can my tool help me get to the 200 lb mark that I want to be in? I thank God everyday for this wonderful tool and I'm not about to give up on it now. Just asking for any suggestions anyone might have.  Thank you so much in advance and I wish you all a great weekend! Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, I don't have any suggestions, but I did want you to know that I think you are awesome, and an inspiration. I haven't had my surgery, but will in the next month or so. I look forward to talking more with you. Emilie

 Jennifer , a cheap way to get protein i mixed 1 cup nonfat dry milk to 4 cups 1% milk which make 60 grams protein . i add 2 teaspoons of sugar free pudding for the taste. (any flavor but only one i could tolerate was vanilla) good luck hun your doing a great job..

 the 2 teaspoons of s f pudding was in a glass. ...kathy

Thanks so much for the kind words Emilie and good luck to you! I know you will do great!

You are not done losing!!  I continued to lose at four years out.  I would have reached goal sooner but I was lazy.  Eggs and tuna come to mind for inexpensive protein.  Also compare prices of cheese.  I am lactose intolerant, but can eat yogurt and cheese.  Great Value at Walmart has a great no sugar added yogurt than is real cheap.  I love the cherry.  It may be a lot cheaper to take or add Lactaid type pills to milk than buy soy.  Cottage chees is another thought, again if you can hangle dairy besides milk.  Try buying a small precooked ham and portioning out for the freezer.  It will go a long way and it really quite lean.  MMM bean with bacon soup or homemade bean soup.  Post for the recipe for taco soup.  Good luck, Loris

Thanks soooo much for replying and the great info. I am thinking about doing the 5 day pouch test to jump start my weight loss again.

If you like coffee, you can mix your protein with cold coffee (make a pot and stick it in the fridge, it'll keep for a few days) and it's like an iced latte. :D

I have found soy milk a lot cheaper in store brand, but you have different stores there than I do here.  Safeway and Giant here both have store brand soy milk.  Also, check the aseptically packaged alternative milks, instead of the the refridgerated ones.  They're often near the baking stuff.  You could check out rice or almond milk too (and soy packaged that way is usually cheaper). 

Aldi is awesome and has store brand soy milk (and 89 cent eggs!), but it looks like the closest is about 40-50 miles from you (I see them in Bessmer, Homewood, Birminham, Decatur, and Trussville).  If you're ever in any of those areas, might be worth checking it out and stocking up.  Soy milk usually has a longer fridge life than regular milk.

I agree with the folks who suggested tuna and eggs, also.  Cheap!

Thank you for all the suggestions. I love them! Good Luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Please keep us posted.

You have recieved some great suggestions but Ill add a few more.....

Walmart has big canisters of Body Fortress protein powder for around 15 bucks! I added strawberry protein powder to plain greek yogurt to make it taste like strawberry yogurt and plus with all the protein from the greek yogurt that packed a good protein punch.

Also how about some chunk chicken or tuna from a can....those can be pretty cheap protein packed meals!

Also I TOTALLY do the vanilla protein powder in my coffee (decaf of course) as creamer and it really helps give me that full feeling!