Finished! (One week of Time Out)

I have only done a modified Time Out so I was drinking 3 protein shakes and eating a small protein meal everyday.  I didn't get shaky at all, but this past week I have gone back to my old eating patterns and have had very little protein and almost solid carbs.  Yesterday I got so shaky I had to quickly eat something or I thought I would pass out.   So, you might need to up your protein by adding another shake.  I know it's a modification to the orginial Time Out plan, but Michelle Curran, the "Vitalady" has written on here before that she consumes close to 2000 calories a day, with about 1000 of that being from protein drinks.  She has maintained her weight loss for 13 years I think.  Now that's my paraphrasing of what she wrote and I may not be remember it absolutely correctly, but I have heard it on here from others too.  As long as it's pure low fat, low cal, no sugar protein, then you won't gain from it.  Even if you had several "meals", with some being liquid and some being just protein like a chicken breast and lettuce, you would still most likely be eating low calorie enough to lose weight.  The nectar protein powders are only 90 calories a scoop and crystal lite is 0.  A chicken breast is only around 150 calories and lettuce is virtually a freebie.   A can of water packed tuna is also low calorie.  If you ate 2 solid food meals of 300 calories each and drank 3 protein shakes at about 100 calories each, you are still only getting 900 calories a day.  You can get a high protein/low carb meal like a baked or grilled fish fillet and a half cup of veggies or a can of water with lettuce and some fat free mayo or just a small salad with a grilled chicken breast.  If you are consuming very few carbs and less than 1000 calories, there is no way you could NOT lose weight.  So, the Time Out is fabulous for resetting the sugar tolerance and reducing the amount of food you need to be full, but definitely do what you need to feel good.  If the protein drinks aren't giving you enough energy then I would certainly add either an extra drink or a small meal.  It's not meant to be a crash diet and since we have alot to lose I think slow and steady is better in the long run than dropping 5 lbs a week for a week or two only to bounce back.  I know personally I have got to change this black and white/ all or nothing thinking.  I am either on a strict diet or binge and that doesn't help me lose weight in the long run.  I drop a few lbs and then gain a few back, only creeping down a pound or two a month when it evens out.  If I could just stick to a healthy eating plan all the time I would see the scale move down without being deprived.  It's so difficult to get a grip on this.  Good luck to you though and I think you'll do just fine.   Angela

Thanks so much - I would even take losing 2-3 pounds a month over gaining 1-2 every month or two which is what I have been doing  !  I think I have to definitely get past the first few days, and I probably will have some protein only meals at least one a day to get past this.... Thanks and good luck to you too.... DeAnna

Congrats on the weight lost Ladies. So far I have lost 18 lbs on the TO (3 weeks) and that was eating dinner on some nights. Stay on track ladies and do let the Junk Food train veer you off. Laura start weight 236.5 today            218.5

Thanks for the encouragement - WOW 18 pounds !!!  I cannot wait for the weight to start budging, I have been stuck around 230 for a while now, but even after a half a day of TO I feel "lighter", more energy!  I feel like I will be having some protein choices (tuna, baked fish, etc) during this TO, we'll see....Ready to get under 200 again. DeAnna

Good on you, DeAnna! I'm sincerely thrilled about your re-commitment to your health. And I KNOW how difficult it is to walk into Wal-Mart and not get just one little thing treat for yourself (my kryptonite is dark chocolate - the kids won't eat it so it's alllllll mine). And nowadays, many Wal-Marts assault your nose with in-store McDonald's, pretzel places, etc....GAH. And Angela! Thank you so much for posting about your own struggles. I'm right there with you, sister. Please keep letting us know how you're doing.  I embrace the good and welcome the not-so-good. From everyone, actually.... Thanks for all your responses, everyone. Will check in soon......

So far today (as I know the first few days are the hardest)...2 protein drinks, 1 small link of sausage this morning, and one-half of a grilled hamburger patty....so far not hungry - OH, I could eat, but not "hungry" LOL !!!  D

What does the stomach feel like when you first introduced food again?

congrats to you.keep up good work