Food and Goals

Hey guys

Well I am on a 4 day vacation with my family. I am eating just protein but too much of it

Seems like I am constantly hungry? Normally eat 1100 calories per day but I have been eating 1400?

Any advice & constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. I have been walking about 12000 steps per day.

I have a new long term Goal a bucket list type of goal

i would like to hike the Appalachian Trail all 2100 miles in a six month period. I am giving myself 3 years to complete this goal

Has anyone hiked the Appalachian Trail?

this is a cross post in. 2 forums 

No const criticism from me (not far enough in the process yet), BUT I'd like to encourage you to hike the Appalachian Trail.  I'm at the very beginning of my weight loss process and walking or even jogging 1/2 marathons are totally on my bucket list. 

Anyway, awesome goal!  Go for it!

If you are keeping calorie count you know what you are eating wrong . No vacation from this surgery :-) keep that awesome goal in mind. You are doing great. One step at a time :)

A lot of exercise may cause significant blood sugar drop. Eating just proteins could make that drop even lower. 

I add fat to my proteins, keeping proteins at moderate level and adding some good fat. Some carbs from vegetables can really help along the way... 

Nuts - even though high calories are great "to go snacks" when hiking - being active. They help the body ...

I live right by the Appalachian Trail. We rarely see an overweight hiker. Boy does that burn calories. Our church maintains a wonderful hostel for the hikers so helping out there I get to talk to a lot of them. I don't expect to ever do more than day hikes but even they are thrilling and so much easier and safer at a lower weight. Follow your dreams!

Great goal! I would also like to hike one of the great trails...Appalachian, Pacific Coast or one in Europe. 

You still have a lot to lose, and 1400 calories is a lot. I never went past 1000 when I was losing. Eating a little extra every day might feel nice, but getting the weight off quick will feel so much better. 

Your goal to hike the trail is fantastic. Keep working toward it.

Hi there,

I think your calories are high for just 6 months post op. I am 2.5 years post op and don't even eat that many calories and I am very active (I run 5km daily and hike with my dogs 5km daily and go to the gym and do aerobic classes), I average 22,000 - 25,000 steps daily.  So I think you need to scale your calories back to 800-9000 a day max.  Y

ou did state "I am eating just protein but to much of it". Not sure I understand your statement. Do you mean you think you are eating too much protein? Do you mean you think its all protein and not enough variety, are you wishing you had fruits, veggies and carbs? I just wanted to understand your statement better.  If you are eating nothing but protein you absolutely should not be hungry. That would be head hunger, not true hunger.  To eat 1400 of pure protein would be a TON of food. Could you tell us what you are eating in a day? At six months post op I just can't see how you are eating 1400 calories of pure protein.

I would love to help you and give you advice but need more info.  Here is a typical days eating for me at 2.5 years post op.  This is what I ate one day this week.  Note the portion sizes, the protein grams and number of calories:

B: two cups of coffee with splenda and lactose free milk then 1 can of solid white tuna over 1/2 cup of red bell pepper with balsamic dressing

L: 1 can of solid white tuna over 1/2 cup of red bell pepper with balsamic dressing

S: 4 triangles of laughing cow cheese with 1/2 red bell pepper for spreading the cheese on

D: 5oz of bbq grilled chicken breast with 2 tbsp bbq sauce

S: 4 triangles of laughing cow cheese with 1/2 red bell pepper for spreading the cheese on

Totals: 995 calories, 130 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbs, 38 grams of fat

The tuna & chicken keep me so full and they are true "dense" protein

I love your idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail, what an wonderful goal to get to!! You can and you will succeed, you deserve it.

If you can help us out with more info we can help you out. Best of luck!!

I like the simplicity of this menu... and you must really like red peppers... although it is a good idea. I find making salads with lettuce too much bulk.... I may try this menu this week... 

I found someone's blog online before who hiked the AT after having WLS.  I can't really search for it right now, but just try googling and I'm sure you'll find it.  It's totally possible.

I'm very excited to do some real hiking again.  While I'd love to eventually do the AT, I'm perfectly satisfied with overnights, and working up to maybe a week or so.  I hope you make your bucket goal!