I'm doing something wrong...!?!

I had my surgery 3/14/06, and I've only lost 39 lbs. so far. I started out at 265, 5'4". Am I just a slow loser? Lately it's been about two lbs a week, last week only 1. I get in two protein supps a day, equaling out to about 24 gms. each. I eat 2 regular meals a day and get a snack in somewhere amongst all that and trying to get all my water in. I'm doing very well getting all my vitamins in. I walk, do the eilliptical or garden everyday. So now I'm nearly 3 months out and would love to participate in the fun stuff like the repost from the June board. But I am so afraid of failure, so feeling very down lately. I haven't felt very happy in days, so I haven't been as supportive as I can be.....but I sure can use some support right about now. Some questions: At what point are you supposed to be eating enough to feel satiated? My husband says there's been a couple of times he thinks i've eaten a lot. I told him I am eating nowhere what I ate before. I use small plates. What amounts in specific measurements should one be eating at 3 months? I have a nutritionist but she doesn't have much experience with gastric bypass patients. We're military and I had to see the one on base. I'm thinking of asking about finding one better suited for me. So some good solid input on this would be much appreciated. Thanks ahead of time for helping me out. Kirsten

Kirsten, don't feel discouraged & down. You may be a slow loser but according to my nut. & doc. (I am a slow loser) that is not a bad thing. At almost 3 months you may be at a slow down point where your body needs to catch up. Are you doing your measurements? You could be really losing inches and that makes a big difference. At 3 months you should be between 2-4 oz at a meal. If you are worried that you might be over doing it, go back to measuring everything. Although I have found that the males in my life always comment on the amount I am eating. After looking at your schedule I am a little concerned that maybe you aren't eating enough. We need fuel every couple of hours to keep our metabolism up, especially if you are doing a lot of exercise. As far as feeling satiated, you are still healing so you might not really even feel that yet. Keep yp the good work. You are doing great. Courtney

Courtney, Thank you for cheering me on. I too think I might not be taking in enough. Before I was doing about 6 "meals" a day and the loss was steady. But it wasn't a lot so I figured maybe I'd change it up and bam is where I am! So it's time to reassess and go from there....already started. Thanks! Kirsten

I know Tink will have a way better reply for you than I will, but I did want to say that I think you are doing really well!!! If you go to the month you had surgery board you will be able to more closely compare your loss. When I got upset about the speed of loss I went there and was always suprised to see we were all pretty close. This is a lifetime process girl.............not a race to the end, as there is no "END". I know you want to skip right to the super awesome part of lower sizes and all that, but trust me when I tell you, keep on keepin on, and it WILL happen!!! Eating wise, if I want to kick start my loss again I go back to all protein, very low carb. While I was in the serious losing faze I was intaking 120 grams of protein a day, minimum. My surgeon said it was why I lost fast and was successful. I also drank a ton of water, and exercised on a regular basis. I won't lie and say my exercise was anything over the top, but it was there.......... Now portion sizes have always been as much as I need to feel full. I've never put an actual amount to it or measured anything. I believe (a South Beach belief) that you should eat till you feel full enough to make it to the next meal. I know early on thats not possible, and healthy snacks are fine, but don't let your husband dictate how much you consume, your body will tell you. I hope this helps you, I think you are being really hard on yourself; take a cleansing breath and be happy.............today is what you make it!!! OXOXOOXOXOOXOXOOXOX Sharon

Sharon, YOu make me smile! I'm right there on the exercise not being over the top, but it's therer, and I'm hoping to build up as I go along. I am being really hard on myself. My own worst critic. I"m just gonna keep on keepin on! Thank you, Kirsten

Some questions: At what point are you supposed to be eating enough to feel satiated? You should always try to feel satisfied . I am thinking with you , the problem may be your protein intake . I think you and I have chatted about the importance of protein , and I can tell you in order right now to feel satisfied and maintain that " full" feeling you will need to get your protein up to 120 grams a day . And I know others will come back and say .. well my nut says only 60 .. well I am here to tell you , I have done enough studies and worked with enough nuts and docs to tell you that early out .. you only absorb @ 50 % . So keeping that in mind .. you want to double your protien . And your exersise routine looks great ..So ... let's work on the protein . What amounts in specific measurements should one be eating at 3 months? At this point . Your amounts may vary depending on your food choices . With dense meats like hamberger , steak - chicken . You may be only able to consume @ 3 oz . Foods like yougurt , cottage cheese , etc .. you may be able to do 4 oz . It all depends on what you select to eat first . You always want to eat your rich BV protiens first . Then a veggie .. then a carb .. if you have room for it . I would suggest getting a food scale . This helped me a lot . I measured all my meats and fish making sure I got in atleast 3 oz with each . I think you are doing AWESOME ... you just need to get that protein level up . I swear to you sweety .. you can do this .. Look at me .. I was 5.7 310 pounds ... I too hated protein shakes in the begining .. it took me a while to find one I liked .. if you have not done that ... do so .. I really think this is your key .. to jump starting your motabolism .. No worries ... We are here for you .. Always, Tink

Tink, I know, protein, protein, protein. To update you I did find a way to get mine in without a hitch. I make decaf coffee, add slenda, a little bit of milk, 3/4 scoop vanilla protein powder, and a half scoop of anywhey. That's one cup. I really like it. I have one cup in the morning, and one before bed. I estimated that to be about 24 gms each cup. Then I've grown accustomed to eating protein at every meal, whether in the form of meats, cheeses, nuts, etc. I tried cottage cheese, and dont care for it. It may have been the brand. Yogurt I grew tired of, but should revisit that as an option. I really like your tip on making sure your meat is 3 oz. and then doing the usual veg...then carb thing. The vanilla protein I've been using is the kind you get at walmart,. I know, probably not the best. I"m using it till it's gone and then investing in some better like unjury or isopure(I have my free sample of that to try still). I"ve been striving to get toward 100, now I know to strive for 120. If anything I'll add something midday!!! I'll do what it takes. It's sad though. I have two Nectar products just sitting there not being used as I dont care for them, and a designer whey. My mom and dad are coming this weekend. Mom had surgery in 1999, and I'm going to get her to try those so they dont go to waste. Well enough rambling....Thanks for being there for me, it's very much appreciated. Kirsten

Hi Kirsten! I'm pre-op so there's not a lot of input I can give you...but to give you some perspective from my side of the fence, I can see how you feel. Hopefully my loss will be one of the faster ones I've seen...but we're all different. Somebody also once told me that some of the rate of your loss depends on how much and what kind of dieting you have done in the past. Sort of like your body says, "Uh oh.....here she goes again...brace yourself...she's not getting away with it this time!" (that the cartoon version of your metabolism.) But on the other hand...WOW...that's almost 40 whole pounds you never have to tote around again! Yeah!!! If you wonder about that, go pile 8 5 lb bags of sugar in a hand basket at the grocery store and try lifting it from the floor. You're probably not even supposed to lift that much yet!!! Do the June repost thing.....dare yourself to imagine what it's going to feel like down the road. You look REALLY good and healthy in your photo forget about failure and let yourself hope for some really great things in the very near future!!! (and when I get down....remind me that I said all this K!) Amy

Amy, Pre-op withstanding your input was inspirational. I should just do the survey and have fun with it....then print it and put it in my scrapbook! And no thank you! I am not carrying around 8 bags of sugar...very insightful! I'm so glad I came to the board to ask for some support!! YOu guys really have helped bring me around! Thank you! Kirsten

Kirsten, Have your thyroid checked. I had my 3 month check today and my doc also told me to keep Protein at 100/day during the rapid weight loss so I don't lose the muscle which would decrease metabolism. Do you have an underactive thyroid? Also...In your pictures you look beautiful so when you are feeling down please look at your before and after pics so far !!! Dana