Confused

Well today I called my NUT.  I am having a difficult time losing weight.  It has taken me five weeks to lose 6lbs and I just had my surgery July 14 2009.  I weigh 193 ( that was this morning)

We talked a few minutes and she asked me what I was eating.  I told her a half of cup at each meal. Mostly protein and I slip a protein drink between meals.    SHe told me to cut them out and ease up on the calories from them.  I won't get all my protein in just eating a half of cup 3 times a day so I am confused on what to do.

Any tips or suggestions would be helpful.

  Today I ate one scrambled egg.  That is it so far.  SHe said to eat when hungry and I am not hungry yet.  That was about 10 am.  I go to the doctor in two weeks and I thought for sure I would weigh less than what the scale is showing.  I excercise maybe 3 times a week and right now all I do is walk.  The Nut said walking five times a week for an hour is what I should be doing.   I am working harder to lose weight now than I did on Atkins diet.  In five years on Atkins I lost 134 lbs.

What am I doing wrong  so early out?

Mary G

Slow Down Mary!!!!
You are right on track. I lost 60 the first 3 months and lost 110 the first year.
I didnt do protien drinks at all Just food.
I think you are doing great. Just remember Rome wasnt built in a day.
Your body is telling you it needs a rest. Mind did the samething. Just plug along and go with the flow. It will come off.. I promise!!!!!
Carla

HI Carla

Thanks for the encouragement.  You are probably right.  My body is resting.  I hope you are right that it will come off.  I am working hard to get it off.

Thanks for responding

Mary G

Hi Mary,

I can feel how frustrated you are in your writing, and I can truly understand. Six pounds in 5 weeks when you're less than three months out is pretty strange, indeed. I'm scratching my head here, and I'm sure some of the "vets" here are too. After reading your post over an hour ago, I've been trying to figure out the best way to respond.

My question is; how many calories ARE in those protein drinks? Are they especially high in calories and that is why she said to stop drinking them? Hmmmm. I'm baffled!  You're right, it is very, very difficult to get your required grams of protein in when you're only eating 4 oz of food at a time. That's why the majority of doctors/nuts have us use protein to begin with, especially early out. At this stage after my surgery I was eating about 600 cals a day, and about 80 grams of protein.

Now, all doctors are different, all programs are different, so it's hard to really tell you what to do, but I might have a couple of suggestions.  First of all, do you know anyone else in your area who has been through this with the same doctor and nut? Maybe ask on your State forum board to see what they were told to do.  Have you talked to your doctor's nurse? I understand you're going to be seeing him in two weeks, but you're pretty upset, so why not make a call and see what they say. Then, you can still discuss it more at your appointment. You know how little time we really get to have with doctors, so I'd give the office a call.
You could also consider seeing another nutritionist. The one I saw for a very long time, through my doctor, left about the time I hit goal. I paid to see another one, and she was wonderful and well worth the money I spent.

Let's see if some other folks chime in and hear what they say. Hang in there!

Hi Susan,

Thanks for taking the time to write.  I think it comes to 220 calories with 8 oz of skim milk.  So if I drink two or three then I am probably over my limit for the day.   I didn't think of it that way.  I just wanted to meet the required protein intake.   I am going to stop the drinks and see if that helps.  Though I don't think I will get enough protein with just a 1/2 cup of food.  Damned if you do and damned if you don't!

There is no one in my area that has had surgery.  There is no support group closer than an hour drive.  I am not going to drive an hour both ways.  I go to my doctor and she is an hour and 15 min away as it is.  Bad weather coming, I don't want to commit to something I might not make.

I have asked on the board and found one person who just had surgery.  I don't want to discourage her.  SHe lives about a half hour away.

I might give the office a call and see what they say, although I see my doctor soon.  I might just wait and see if I lose any more weight.   I am disappointed as you can imagine.

Thanks again

Mary G

I've said it before.  I know exactly where you're at.  I'm right beside you there.  I'm using my protein shakes with 2 C. skim milk (Cal 303 proteins 42.8) If I don't use at least one of these per day I definately don't get in enough proteins.  I feel the proteins are the most important.  As far as calories go, my Dr & Nut say 600-900 per day.  I'm pretty good at staying at that rate.  My problem is the exercise, lack thereof actually.  I can eat more than half a cup at a time.
Everyone says we're not doing anything wrong.  I guess we just have to bite the bullet and believe them.  We've got another 9 months to go before our surgiversary, so hopefully we'll take of that other 50 pounds in that time frame.  I'm not giving up either, but I guess I should just stop weighing myself.  My measurements are going down, so that's a plus.  My cholesterol was at 123 last month, so that's also a plus, my sugar was down as was my blood pressure.  Look for the good in this, and breathe.
Jan

Jani, can you find a protein drink that doesn't use milk? That add an awful lot of calories to your day.
Maybe try something like the Nectar drinks by Syntrax. I like their Fuzzy Navel the best. It's the only protein drink I've used for over 3 years now.

Check with Vitalady.com. They have all of the flavors from Syntrax in sample sizes. Under 100 cals, over 30 grams of protein.

Just a thought.

i have used many diff types of protein powders-and most with only water -with or without ice...i did that long ago to cut out the calories....

personally, i don't care for the nectars-too sweet --but i love designer whey's protein water - i get it at big lots for 70 cents a  bottle so don't feel sinful!!!

just my 2 cents

I don't think there are any Big Lots up here in TC.  When I go down state next week maybe I'll stop by the big lots down there and try it.  Is it just by the bottled waters?

they are by the energy type drinks- only have two flavors- orange mango and something razzberry--both very yummy-not too sweet--they also sell individual pkts at meijers in the protein drink section in pharmacy area -and you mix with your own water..pricey taht way- i'm sure these bottles are short dated or something cuz they couldn't have been 70 cents retail in big stores!